A WEYMOUTH primary school has taken advantage of Sports Premium funding to host free weekly zumba classes.

Over 100 pupils have taken part in weekly sessions at Conifers Primary School, with children from Years Three to Six attending.

The Zumba Dance Club is run by qualified instructor Anne-Marie Kirby, and happens every Friday between 3.20pm and 4.20pm.

The Sports Premium funding amounts to £150million over the next two years to support the delivery of PE and sport in primary schools across England.

Classes held just before Christmas saw an average turnout of 20 people. The primary school has since used its allocation to allow more people to take part in the sessions.

The classes were organised by teachers Alice Hall and Julie Burden.

Mrs Hall is delighted with the reaction they’ve received from pupils attending. She said: “It appeals to the children because it’s more modern-day music.

“It’s a different style that’s never been used in dance before within schools.

“Because the children can see we’re joining in, that enthuses them even more so, because they want to be part of what we’re doing.”

Zumba has quickly become one of the most popular fitness routines in the UK.

It involves dance and aerobic elements and is considered to be a great workout for people who have a great deal of energy to burn off.