Pictured above: (l-r) Ilze Bull and Jeana Hopkins who are the brains behind Interact

Exciting interactive music programmes devised by two Lincolnshire teachers are taking school classrooms by storm. 

Computer software-based and for use with interactive whiteboards, they are the brainchild of Jeana Hopkins and Ilze Bull of Grantham-based Interact.  And they are starting to get noticed by educationsts in other parts of the UK and overseas. 

The programmes are called 'interact' - designed for use by teachers working with pupils between the ages of four and seven-years-old  (EYFS and KS1) - and 'loop', which is suited to children aged from seven to 12 (KS2 and Foundation 7).

Both aim to help teachers to deliver the Music National Curriculum in an innovative way, but 'loop' has been devised in partnership with the education trust CfBT and Lincolnshire Music Services, part of Lincolnshire County Council. 

Mrs Hopkins and Mrs Bull, who teamed-up four years ago to start work on these specialist programmes are thrilled that they are becoming increasingly popular and, in the process, helping to raise pupils' interest in music. 

Mrs Bull said: "As practising teachers, we saw a gap in the provision of musical education between the end of the primary and the beginning of the secondary stages.  So we started to devise programmes to fill this gap and within less than four years we have created a primary software package which is teacher-friendly. 

"What is so exciting about this interactive approach is that the programmes are cross-curricular and that means they encourage pupils to look at new ways of expressing what they have learned in their other lessons.  It is not just about making music."

Mrs Hopkins said: "More than 30 schools across Lincolnshire are already using 'loop' and the trend is snowballing. Interest is being shown from outside the county, and we are starting to get enquiries from nine different countries, including America." 

Excited pupils from Lincolnshire schools, treated their peers, teachers and visitors at the 'loop' (supporting music for the future) event, to a fantastic musical showcase at Bishop Grosseteste College in Newport, Lincoln. 

The Bishop Greaves Theatre throbbed to the sound of happy marching, drumming, singing and dancing youngsters, who showed how music and dance routines can help them to express their knowledge of anything from geography to the environment. 

County primary schools which took part in the Bishop Grosseteste showcase event were: Bassingham, Mablethorpe, Ling Moor (North Hykeham), Ropsley (near Grantham) and St Mary's (Welton).

Bassingham County Primary School teacher Zoe Dixon said: "We have been using 'loop' for a full academic year. The enthusiasm and enjoyment displayed by our children is wonderful to see. These new, interactive resources are superb for any teacher, whether they are a music specialist or not."

Clancy Docwra Utilities Division sponsored a performance by Mablethorpe County Primary pupils, by providing them with pipework, hard hats and workmen's gilets. Another musical performance was supported by Grantham School of Dance. 

Clancy Docwra operations support manager Ashley York said: "When approached and asked to get involved with 'loop' and to supply materials for the performance, we were only too pleased to help.

"Hopefully the children involved will have gained an insight into what we do in a fun way. They produced an amazing show."