More than 500 pupils from a Markyate school have attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the number of people signing and singing the same song at the same time.

On Wednesday, February 5, 525 pupils and staff from Beechwood Park School took part in Sign2Sing.

This was the first time the entire school, including the Montessori, Junior, Middle and Senior Departments, joined together in the performance hall to sing the song 'Get up and Sign' which they had spent the last few weeks practicing and polishing.

Now in its fourth year, Sign2Sing has become a major national fundraising initiative for SignHealth, the charity for vulnerable deaf children and adults.

The school was inspired to take part by one of its Junior Department teachers, Wendy Cooper who is a member of Dunstable Rock Choir, a major supporter of the Sign2Sing initiative.

Earlier in the week, the Junior Department was lucky enough to welcome one of the composers of the song, Pippa Gearing, together with Sign2Sing mascot Olli the monkey.

Mrs Cooper said: "I never dreamt that when I suggested that Beechwood Park should be involved in Sign2Sing, the whole school would embrace the idea so whole-heartedly. It has been a fabulous introduction to sign language for our pupils, some of whom are aged only three, and the fact that we have also raised £600 for the SignHealth charity is fantastic."