Students at Highbury Grove School. Pic: Dieter Perry

The only school in the country with a “music specialism” is up for a prestigious award.

Highbury Grove School, in Highbury Grove, has been nominated for a Best Classical Music Education Initiative gong.

The Highbury school is up against heavyweight institutions like National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and desperately need votes to win first prize.

The winner will be announced at a gala ceremony held at the Barbican Centre, in Silk Street, Finsbury, on March 20.

Mystery donor

A music specialism means pupils can opt to do up to four hours a week of music study and each be given their own instrument.

Much of this was made possible by a mystery donor who gave tens of thousands of pounds to help bring the joys of classical music to some of the poorest kids in the country.

In October, the Gazette revealed that the benefactor was in fact Andrew Wolfson, on behalf of the Charles Wolfson charitable trust.

n To vote for Highbury Grove, visit http://www.classicfm.com/music-news.