WOMAD stars set school life buzzing

Students at Malmesbury School have spent a week they will never forget, learning from some of world music's top talent. Organisers of this weekend's WOMAD event arranged for two workshops to be held at the school, featuring artists who will be performing in front of thousands at the festival.

On Monday, the Heal the Hood Hip Hop Crew from South Africa spent the day with Year Nine pupils. The group is made up of four young dancers, MCs and DJs from Cape Flats, on the outskirts of Cape Town. They taught the children a range of music, dance and spoken word pieces and did demonstrations.

Music teacher Chris Knibbs said: "It was so exciting and it completely set the place abuzz - they were absolutely fantastic," he said. "We have now got students setting up their own street dance club for next year."

Yesterday, the Zawose Family from Tanzania visited the Year Seven students. The group of eight young artists led the children in a percussion, dance and voice workshop. Mr Knibbs said: "It's incredible, I have walked through the main area of the school and all I can see is children dancing and copying what they have just seen. I just can't speak highly enough of the performers we have had in and also of WOMAD for giving us this opportunity."