YOU'RE never too old - or too famous - to learn, as Sting discovered when he visited a Newcastle school yesterday.

Pupils at Hawthorn Primary School in Elswick, who were chosen to benefit from a pioneering national project called In Harmony, were keen to share with a superstar their newfound skills.

The Wallsend-born musician listened with Northumbrian piper Kathryn Tickell and singer Mike Tickell, Kathryn’s dad, as the youngsters performed in their fledgling orchestral ensembles. In Harmony, a three-year project costing £500,000, is aimed at transforming the lives of children in areas where family budgets seldom stretch to music lessons.

Since the start of the school year, the Elswick children have been immersed in music with access to instruments and daily tuition.

After hearing them play, one-time teacher Sting remarked: “I wish I’d gone to Hawthorn School as I’d be a better musician today. I’m delighted to be here to see the results of this excellent music programme.”

Sting has taken a personal interest in the Elswick project, joining Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall in boosting the funding from Arts Council England to enhance the temporary classroom where the In Harmony tuition takes place.

Kathryn Tickell said afterwards: “It was great to be at Hawthorn School today. There is so much energy and enthusiasm from the children and staff in the school.

“They obviously love playing music and it’s amazing how far they’ve progressed in such a short time. There are a few stars in the making there.”

Judy Cowgill, head of Hawthorn Primary, said: “We were delighted to have the chance to say thank you to Sting for his contribution to our music cabin. We couldn’t manage without it and it has very quickly become the most important room in the school.

“I hope he was as amazed as we are at the progress the children have made in the last few months. They are on their way to becoming real musicians.”

Wendy Smith, head of strategy and enterprise at The Sage Gateshead, which is running the project for the Department for Education, added: “Sting’s visit was a fantastic boost for the children, families and staff. Everyone was delighted to have the opportunity to thank Sting for his support for In Harmony Newcastle Gateshead.”

In Harmony is based on a Venezuelan scheme called El Sistema which saw the fortunes of poor children transformed by introduction to classical music.

UK organisers say the project can help children to learn while boosting self-confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing.