YOUNGSTERS at an East Yorkshire primary school welcomed the Archbishop of York to their school.

Dr John Sentamu dropped in at Sutton-upon-Derwent CE Primary School to speak to the pupils and practise his drumming.

The idea for his visit began last October when the Year 5-6 class were discussing confirmation.

Year 6 pupil Imogen Lewis-Ogden had been confirmed by the Archbishop at St Helen’s Church, Wheldrake, during the summer and her teacher, Susan Stephenson, told the class about the Archbishop’s inauguration at York in 2005, when African drumming and dancing featured in the ceremony.

Imogen then wrote to the Archbishop, asking if he would visit the school and show them some drumming. She could not quite believe it when she received a personal reply from him in December accepting the invitation.

Imogen said: “I was so excited before the visit because it all started with my letter. We have been practising drumming for the Archbishop and it sounds really good!”

Mrs Stephenson said: “We were thrilled the Archbishop was able to find time to visit us. This special time in school will be remembered by all the children, staff and wider school family.”