Fairchildes Primary School is located in New Addington, Croydon, Surrey.

The school steelband was formed in 1988 and is called Fairchildes Primary School Steel Band.

It was formed by the headteacher (at that time) who wanted the children to play an instrument but did not think that parents would pay for traditional instruments and would not encourage them to practise at home, so steel pans were bought for the children to practise on at school.

 The pupils have one lesson per week with a steelpan teacher and one practise lesson with the deputy headteacher. The steelpan teacher is also the musical director of the Croydon Steel Orchestra (CSO) which was set up in 2000 to enable the pupils to continue playing pan after they left primary school.

The steelband plays in the school assemblies and is available for hire at school fetes. Recent bookings have included Croydon and Bromley town centres and The Fairfield Halls in Croydon.

During the summer holidays the school runs a summer club alongside CSO and the children take part in Junior Panorama.

 What the pupils say?


The children love steel band, for many it is their favourite lesson of the week.



Information supplied to My Panyard by Fairchildes Primary School