A controversial £8,000 junket to Hawaii for a group of teachers has brought one new initiative for their schools - a parent and child drumming workshop.

The arts conference in the exclusive Waikiki beach resort was paid for by the taxpayer and ignited a furious row.

The four heads from schools in North and South Tyneside are preparing to share their Honolulu experience with 120 teachers, parents and councillors from across Tyneside.

Liz Philips, head of Downhill school, in South Shields, says the after-school drumming club encourages listening skills, co-ordination and resilience.

However some councillors remain convinced the trip was a waste of money which would have been better spent on resources for cash strapped school.

Mrs Philips said: "The conference was inspiring, we heard first hand from leading education experts from around the world and have already started to use their theories in our schools.

"The central theme of the conference was emotional intelligence - learning by doing, especially using music and movement to help children in all areas of the curriculum including science.

"There is a huge link between recall and music. I want to explore ways we can bring music into other subject areas to enhance learning. "We hope to arrange a conference in the North East to share all the fantastic arts work going on in the region with teachers from across the country."

Mrs Philips employed Jules Frome, a musician already working with North Tyneside council, to run the drumming workshops each Thursday afternoon.

Around a dozen parents bring their children to the sessions where Mr Frome teaches them to listen and recognise to different beats and become aware of the different components of music. But Coun Jim Allen, who represents Battle Hill, in North Tyneside, is not convinced, he said: "If the teachers had transformed education in the schools when they returned from Hawaii no one could complain but I'm not convinced that has happened.

"I don't want to criticise any individuals I'm sure their schools benefited from the conference but it was a long way to go and I would prefer to have seen the money spent on materials which all pupils could benefit from."

Also on the trip were Sheelagh Tickell from Goathland Primary School in Longbenton, Alan Egdell of St Bernadette's School in Wallsend and Sue March of Jarrow Epinay School. The four-day trip in January cost £8,048 including £1,000 in conference fees, £6,000 in airfare and accommodation at the luxury Hilton Hawaiian village complex and £1,000 on food and drink.

At the meeting on April 12 Sheelagh Tickell will talk about the role of creative dance within schools and the importance of youngsters expressing themselves rather than learning set pieces. Paul Collard, Creative Partnerships, National Director, said: "Teachers from Tyneside learnt a great deal from teaching colleagues around the world and also contributed to the conference, by sharing the work of Creative Partnerships internationally.

"They're now beginning to use their new knowledge in their schools and with others in the area, so that everyone can benefit."

North Tyneside mayor Linda Arkley said: "I don't blame these schools for accepting the money when it was given but I am not happy this is going on while the Government is failing to provide sufficient funding for North Tyneside schools."

Parents involved in the drumming group say its success shows the Hawaii trip was worth the cash. Janet Smedley, 46, and husband Graham, 47, were there with daughter Lori-Beth, five.

Janet said: "This whole school is great - we can feel the warmth when we come in.

"A lot of people go on about the expense of Liz's trip but she's amazing and the whole school is held together by her.

"I just think some schools aren't as up to date as we are here - the trip was definitely worth it because we can see the benefits in the work we are doing here."