So you might be be amazed to know that it is one of only six junior school choirs in the UK that has made it through to the semi-final of a prestigious competition.

The choir of 30 youngsters at the Stanground school, in Peterborough, beat stiff competition to reach the final stages of the BBC's School Choirs Competition 2009.

Choirmaster and deputy headteacher Andrew De Silva formed the choir four years ago, but the group of pupils from Years 4 to 6 have only been practising together since September.

He said: "It just proves that it doesn't matter what you can afford or what you have, it's all about the children having a gift, and every one of them does.

"To be in the top six choirs in the UK is just a phenomenal achievement.

"The children are fantastic, and I'm so proud of them."

The seed was planted after the choir won a competition at the Peterborough Music Festival, and an audience member urged Mr De Silva to enter the youngsters into the BBC's competition.

He recorded the talented group singing hymn Abide With Me and Badgers and Hedgehogs, by Andrew Carter, and sent it off with fingers crossed.

Mr De Silva said: "When I got the phone call to say we'd got through, my voice went all warbly, but I still managed to call each choir member at home to tell them.

"They were all over the moon, and I know their parents were all very impressed."

A BBC film crew will visit the school to record the choir in action next Wednesday.

Judges will view the tapes and whittle the numbers down to three finalists, who will head to Manchester in March on an all-expenses-paid trip for the grand final at the BBC's TV studios.

Pupil Emma Harbison (10) said: "I think it's going to be really good, and I'm really looking forward to the next part of the competition.

"I think it's a great opportunity to get confidence in singing in front of people."

One pupil, Catherine (10), has sung with the choir for three years.

She said: "I think we're going to win and I really hope we do because I want to stay in the hotel in Manchester.

"And when we've won a competition before, Mr De Silva throws us a big party, and that makes us want to win even more."