The "quiet man" of Tory politics was banging out his message to pupils when he visited a school in Eastbourne today.

Iain Duncan Smith threw off his mild-mannered image when he joined pupils in a lively steel drum class at Bishop Bell School in Priory Road.

The Opposition leader was visiting as part of a national tour of high-performing schools.

He arrived at the school gates in a hired people carrier at 9.30am and dashed inside for a meeting with head teacher Terry Boatwright.

Results at the school have improved dramatically in the last year.

The youngsters burst into a rendition of La Bamba as the Tory chief walked into the school.

He joined the group on the bass drum and afterwards joked and laughed with the children.

Music teacher Sheryl Gibson thought Mr Duncan Smith could be a secret steel drum player.

She said: "He seemed to know what he was talking about. He asked me if he should come in on the first beat which made me think he might have played before."

However, he had tougher critics.

Jessica Hollands, 12, who plays in the band said: "I thought he was good but he played an extra note at the end."