Academy Goes Live On BBC As Children Record Song For Children In Need

Theddlethorpe Academy Key Stage 2 pupils are joined by Pudsey Bear as they take part in the Big Fancy Dress Singalong for Children In Need live on Radio Lincolnshire.

Pudsey came to rural Lincolnshire today as children at Theddlethorpe Academy recorded a song and dance routine for BBC Children In Need.

The excited youngsters dressed in their finest fancy dress costumes to take part in BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Big Fancy Dress Singalong alongside 40 schools from across the country, who all aired live at 9.40am.

Children from one school in each of the BBC’s local radio station regions were invited to take part in the event, which was also filmed for BBC Look North and for the Children In Need TV fundraising spectacular, which can be seen on BBC One on Friday November 19.

Pudsey came along to encourage the children, who had spent a couple of weeks learning the music and choreographing a dance to the Calvin Harris song “By Your Side.” Academy Principal Susan Cook was thrilled with the children’s participation in the event and the response from everyone involved.

“What a fantastic day,” she said. “The response from the parents and the children to this event has been overwhelming, not just in their fundraising, but in ensuring that every child had a costume and every child was ready to sing their hearts out for Children In Need.

“It is not just the children who have been excited about this event, the staff have too and preparations have been taking place since before half term. It was a very cold morning in the playground, but it was bright and sunny and the children rose to the occasion, singing and dancing first for the live radio singalong and then shooting a piece for BBC Look North. I am so very proud of them all.

“We promote looking after others as part of the curriculum and the pupils understand that this money will go to help other children who need it. The BBC sent a drone up today to get footage for the main show on November 19 and we cannot wait to see it.”

Children from 3-11 years took part in the event at Theddlethorpe Academy and for the majority it was their first time meeting Pudsey.

Year 5 pupil Olivia Briley (9), who dressed as a Christmas parcel, said: “It was really fun meeting Pudsey. He is so tall and furry.”

Aston Winters (10) who is in Year 6, said: “We always raise money for Children In Need and we want to help other children who are not as lucky as us. It was amazing taking part in the singing and I cannot wait to see it on TV.”

BBC Radio Lincolnshire Presenter Jono, who helped coordinate the live singalong at the Academy with a team of producers and cameramen, said: “We chose Theddlethorpe Academy as our representative school for this region, and both the school and the children have bought into this experience beautifully, making the whole thing really fabulous.”

Pupils perform the Calvin Harris song “By Your Side” live on BBC Radio Lincolnshire at 9.40am today, in conjunction with 40 schools throughout the UK for Children In Need.