CHILDREN at Poppleton Road Primary School are preparing for the first big gig of their lives – but hopefully not their last.

The school have been teaching Year 3 children the ukulele this year and, as a special one-off treat, they will get to put their learning into practice on Friday - when playing alongside Rick Witter and Paul Banks of York’s indie superstars, Shed Seven.

The 50 youngsters, aged seven and eight, will perform in front of other children at the school, and join in a special acoustic rendition of the Sheds’ legendary hit, Chasing Rainbows, alongside the rock duo.

It promises to be quite a unique show.

“I hope they’ve been rehearsing as much as we have,” joked frontman Rick, who, along with guitarist Paul agreed to take time out from their busy schedule to help teach children the “magic of music”.

The band are currently putting the finishing touches to their long-awaited new release – their first studio album in 16 years, which is to come out later this year to coincide with their now biennial nationwide tour.

Rick – who remembers being spellbound himself by a live performance at school – said of Friday’s gig: “It’s a bit of a one-off but it should be fun.

“The school approached me because they’ve been teaching children to play the ukulele. I suggested they learn Chasing Rainbows and me and Paul would go in and play it with them.

“It’s about showing kids music is great. I remember in first year at Huntington School when a band from the Sixth Form played at a school assembly. That stuck with me and was one of the things that made me want to get into music.”

Sally Firth, a Year 3 teacher and music co-ordinator at Poppleton Road, said: “Children don’t get a lot of opportunity to perform live or listen to a live performance and it’s really exciting they’re going to be part of this.

“It enhances their learning and really brings music alive.”