PUPILS from an Oxford primary school beat out a message of support for deaf and blind children yesterday.

Youngsters from St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, in Sandy Lane West, Littlemore, joined 10,000 primary students from more than 200 schools across the country to create a giant simultaneous drumbeat.

The Drumathon sponsorship event marked the end of International Deafblind Awareness Week, and highlights the challenges faced by deafblind children.

Pupils drummed African-style on their home-made drums to raise funds for the national deafblind charity Sense.

Grainne Archer, the school’s music co-ordinator, said: “Drumming and music have a wonderful way of joining people together from all backgrounds and ages.

“We have about 200 pupils aged four to 11 who made their own drums from flowerpots to take part in the assembly, which was watched by lots of parents.”

Zahrah Khan, five, from Blackbird Leys, said: “This is such fun – I love playing the drums.”

David Rowntree, drummer of pop supergroup Blur, who is supporting the national event said: “I’m delighted to once again support the fantastic Sense Drumathon — it’s such an inspirational event.”