Schools enjoy the beats of Africa.

AN AFRICAN drummer dropped into a Coventry primary school to teach pupils some new skills as part of a week of celebrations.

John Shelton Primary, in Briscoe Road, Holbrooks, held a week of activities to coincide with its link-up with a school in the West African state of Ghana.

Learning about the Duusi Catholic Primary School, in the Bolgatanga region of Ghana, is now part of the curriculum at John Shelton.

And drummer Doug Blacksmith, from London, spent a day at the school with 30 drums, teaching the children rhythms and talking about the music of West Africa.

Head teacher Alan Williams said every child was able to have a go on the drums and said it had been a "brilliant experience" for them.

As part of the week, which finished today, artists Tony and Alison Dix visited the school to look at the art of Africa.

Musician Hayley McDonough, from Coventry City Council's advisory service, also visited the school.

CHILDREN at another city school got to grips with African culture during a week-long arts week.

Pupils aged four to seven at St Andrews Infants School, Church Lane, Eastern Green, took part in the event which featured mask and model making, story telling and an African drummer.

The creative kids were taken off their timetable to experience a different culture to their own.

CAPTION(S):

D20964_1 RHYTHM: Douglas Blacksmith leads the drumming at John Shelton Primary School. Picture: WILL BINNS; D20929_3 CULTURE: St Andrews pupils (below, from left) Taylor Kavanagh, Cameron Bothwell and George Davies. Picture: MATT BARRON