SIR Thomas Boteler High School has been handed an award for excellence in music after more than 10 per cent of pupils secured an A* to C grade in GCSE music.

Students have opportunities to play and perform a range of instruments at the school, including the steel drums.

Sixteen-year-old Abigail Titchard said: “I started playing instruments as soon as I got here. 

“I play drums and piano but I love playing the steel drums and Samba is always fun – drumming is just great fun because of the huge amount of noise you can make.”

The school was ranked 358th in the country for its music grades by the Incorporated Society of Musicians, who handed the music department a Bronze Award.

Students have performed at Chester Cathedral, Parr Hall and as part of the Olympic torch tour in 2012.

At the moment they are rehearsing for productions of Blues Brothers and Stomp.

Head teacher Beverley Scott-Herron said: “They broke into spontaneous singing outside Chester Cathedral when we were visiting for a Mothering Sunday service. 

“Lots of people stopped and watched and people were even tweeting about it. It was one of the most memorable things that happened, I was so proud.”

Students praised music teachers Annette Clarke and Lisa Butcher for their hard work.

“The music department would be nothing without these two leaders – they are the heart of everything that happens here,” said Mrs Scott-Herron.