ROCKERS on a mission to banish 'boring' music lessons have urged schools leaders to push the subject up their priority lists.

Founders of The Musical Box have said schools are failing to realise the potential music lessons have to further pupils' learning, and have urged teachers to 'revolutionise' their music provision.

The music tuition centre and self-branded school of rock, based in Fritwell near Bicester, has now invited headteachers and heads of music to visit next week.

The Musical Box's founder Tim Kirkham said he hoped the tours on Thursday, February 22, would drum home the benefits of excellent music provision.

He said: "The evidence that learning to sing or play an instrument has much wider benefits is now overwhelming.

"The fact that it helps develop our creativity is relatively obvious, but it's the lesser-known benefits which seem most important.

"It helps children control anxiety, it builds their listening skills and helps them express themselves - and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

"Sadly, music provision in many of our schools sits at the bottom of the priority list."

Schools from in and around Bicester are welcome to pop along.

The centre's teachers have provided tuition to several schools in the area since opening in 2005, including Middle Barton Primary School near Chipping Norton, and Deddington CE Primary School near Banbury.

Lessons include one-on-one sessions and group workshops.

Co-founder and managing director Paula Backwith added: "We have been saving the world from boring music lessons,, but there is still such a long way to go.

"We are hoping this event will open the eyes of other schools so they see that there is another way, and we can help them revolutionise their music provision.

"We work with their current music curriculum...to keep the youth of this country involved in the creation of music."

Any headteachers or music heads interested in visiting can email bicester.studio@themusicalbox.co.uk or find more contact details via themusicalbox.co.uk.