PARENTS and pupils have been singing the praises of our Teacher of the Month, who has been helping students discover a love of music for more than 26 years.

John Oates at Westbrook Old Hall Primary School was nominated by Karen Hennis, who said he is a ‘truly inspirational’ teacher.

She wrote: “Mr Oates has transformed music in primary schools in my opinion with his current up to date repertoire.

“All the children admire him and you always hear comments from various year groups about what an inspiration he is and how they all love being taught by him.”

Mr Oates was brought up in Westbrook and studied music at Sandown College before training to be a teacher.

The 50-year-old said: “I definitely always wanted to be a teacher, I’ve been very lucky. The support here is outstanding and the parents value music. I think that’s special. Children even come to practice on a Friday after school.”

Mr Oates helps children write songs from the age of two onwards and said parents are surprised by the sophistication of his students’ tunes.

The trained singer and guitarist also writes songs for the children to help them learn their times tables and other topics on the curriculum, including Victorian history.

He said one of his proudest moments as a teacher was watching the school’s choir win the Warrington and Halton Choir of the Year competition at the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn.

Pupils have also gone on to succeed at national song writing competitions and Mr Oates’ former student, Erin Jordan, received praise from singer Tom Odell and Starsailor frontman James Walsh when she was a runner up in a nationwide contest.

Mr Oates said: “It’s all about song writing and it’s a great outlet for children. It just gives them the opportunity to do something they will be proud of.

“I’m proud of the level of consistency, every year there is a new group of children who are ready to shine.”

To listen to songs written by pupils at Westbrook Old Hall Primary School, visit westbrookoldhall.co.uk/music.