Hundreds of schools to sing virtual “thank you” as song goes viral

A school chaplain in England has spoken of her delight after a song written to share hope during Coronavirus closures went viral, with more than a hundred schools now preparing to record their own versions.

The song, Looking To The Rainbow, was originally composed by Becky Drake for the Bluecoat Church of England School in Birmingham, but now more than 100 schools across the Church School network and beyond will also sing the song in time for Thank a Teacher Day on 20 May.

The song is now being promoted as part of the Church of England’s #FaithAtHome initiative, which launched earlier this month. The C of E’s Chief Education Officer, Nigel Genders, is encouraging schools to get involved. The song also has the backing of the official Thank a Teacher Day campaign, run by the Teaching Awards Trust.

The C of E said that any school across the world is welcome to take part. Comprehensive instructions for school leaders can be downloaded from the Worship for Everyone website – videos can be shared with the organisers who will edit a compilation video in time for Thank a Teacher Day on 20 May.

“I wrote this song to bring some joy to the children I work with and give them hope that we won’t be in lockdown forever”, Becky Drake said. “When I first saw the children singing the words I was moved to tears!

“I’m delighted to see other schools using the song of hope with their own communities as part of the Faith at Home campaign. I hope it will be a blessing to many families and teachers, and generate a sense of unity across the country.”