A PE teacher swapped his whistle and register for a set of turntables to help promote a national music campaign. Pete Charlwood of The Meridian School, Royston, put on his headphones, grabbed his record collection, and started the school s involvement in

A PE teacher swapped his whistle and register for a set of turntables to help promote a national music campaign.

Pete Charlwood of The Meridian School, Royston, put on his headphones, grabbed his record collection, and started the school's involvement in National Music Week.

Run by My Music, the music week has been set up to give young people a greater understanding of a range of music, by introducing a wide variety of styles into secondary school classrooms.

The school set up a number of lunchtime activities and themed lessons to promote the initiative.

Over the week Mr Charlwood, who has been at the school for the past four years, has been filling the school hall by playing a variety of garage, R'n'B and hip-hop tunes.

He has also been running lunchtime workshops, teaching students how to mix, and encouraging them to create their own sounds.

He said: "The programme has been positive and it has given the students a chance to sample different genres of music.

"I've done this for a while now and I love doing it - it's a good hobby.

"The students have been great and it's good for them to see teachers doing normal things - because despite what they might think, we are normal!"

The teacher's record-spinning has certainly gone down well with the students.

Max Margiotta, 17, said: "I'm a little surprised by Mr Charlwood, but it's definitely cool.

"It's a good idea, and it's got everyone interested."

Ashley Judge, 16, said: "This is what music lessons should be about, because this is the music of today."

Jenny Warburton, head of music and performing arts, said: "The week enables the students to get involved with things that they normally wouldn't.

"And it makes them think about music, both at school, and at home.

"Students will analyse a wide variety of genres found in the British pop charts, and investigate the way the industry works.

"This is an important programme that helps raise the profile of music within schools.

"The students have responded well to it, and I think it has been a really enjoyable week.

"Mr Charlwood has been particularly popular and it's nice for them to see his DJ skills."

The music week also included computer sequencing lessons and music technology, music forums and a sixth form organised X-Factor talent show.