Five primary schools in Bath and North East Somerset have come together to take part in a virtual Easter celebration, uniting children from different communities through music and sign language.

The Church of England schools in Bath, Cameley, Farmborough, Marksbury and Radstock have filmed their own version of ‘Sign Your Cross’ by Nick and Becky Drake to share with family and friends.

The five schools — Cameley CEVC Primary and Nursery in Temple Cloud, Farmborough C of E VC Primary, Marksbury C of E Primary, St Mary’s C of E Primary and Nursery in Writhlington, and Weston All Saints CE Primary in Bath — are all members of The Partnership Trust, a multi-academy trust that oversees 17 schools across Bath and North East Somerset and Somerset.

They are also part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, sharing a commitment to Christian values and collaborative learning.

With rising transport costs, and the rural location of some of the schools, it was proving difficult for all five to meet together and share an Easter service. The headteachers, and the partnership trust’s director of school improvement, Vicky Dupras, came up with the idea of sharing a virtual celebration instead, following the success of a similar initiative last Christmas.

Vicky said: “One of the benefits of being a multi-academy trust is that we can share ideas and resources. Although the five church schools couldn’t celebrate in person, by learning and filming ‘Sign Your Cross’ they can be united by song this Easter.”

Effie-Mae, from Year 4 at St Mary’s C of E School in Writhlington, said: “I think singing together as a whole school feels like a big family in one room.

“I feel excited and happy when I’m singing: It makes me feel good. The Easter song fits well with our Christian Values. Learning sign language really helps explain the words in the song.”