“These drums are awesome – I use them in KS3/4 teaching all the time, and we have started a percussion club now too. The students love having proper instruments rather than standard ‘classroom percussion’ to play on. It has raised the engagement and standard.”
— Tor Cooper
We specialise in education-focused African drums that are easy to use and built to last. As a result, they suit schools, workshops, and group learning environments.
Each djembe in the Drums for Schools collection is handmade using traditional materials and techniques. In addition, we check every drum before dispatch, so you can start making music straight away.
Key Features of Our Djembes
Our djembes are designed with learners and teachers in mind. As a result, they work well in classrooms, workshops, and group settings.
- Made from certified, sustainably sourced hardwood that is seasoned for durability
- Fitted with natural goatskin heads to produce clear bass, tone, and slap sounds
- Tuned and ready to play on arrival, so no setup is needed
- Lightweight options available, ideal for younger players and SEND settings
- Supplied as individual djembes or classroom djembe packs
- Optional djembe drum bags and accessories available for protection and easy transport
When learning or teaching the core djembe sounds – bass, tone, and slap – clear response matters. For this reason, our djembes react well to touch and technique. Learners can hear the difference between sound, dynamics, and control more easily as they play.
What is a Djembe? – Cultural Roots & Musical Impact
A djembe is a traditional West African hand drum with deep cultural roots. People commonly pronounce it as “JEM-bay”. Musicians play the djembe by hand, and it plays a central role in ceremonies, storytelling, and celebration.
Because of its versatility, the djembe works well in many musical settings. At the same time, beginners can learn the basic techniques quickly. As a result, it suits group learning and shared music-making.
By introducing djembes in schools, students experience real music-making in practice. In addition, they connect with global musical traditions while meeting curriculum goals.
Trusted in schools: Djembes are widely used in UK schools for their accessibility, cultural value, and authentic sound — especially in group music lessons and SEN environments.
Our djembes are built for the realities of classroom music-making. As a result, they suit daily use in schools and SEND settings.
- Durable enough for regular use in busy classrooms
- Available in a range of sizes, from Early Years to secondary and adult players
- Lightweight designs that support SEND learners and easy portability
- Simple to clean, store, and move between rooms
- Suitable for both music specialists and generalist teachers
You can also explore our wider range of KS2 and SEND-friendly percussion instruments.
Free Djembe Teaching Guides and Resources
At Drums for Schools, we support educators beyond supplying instruments. For this reason, every djembe purchase includes access to free teaching guides. These resources make it easy to introduce rhythm and drumming in class, even if you have no prior drumming or music-teaching experience.
Resources include:
- Step-by-step lesson plans
- Warm-up and rhythm exercises
- Inclusive activities for group and SEND settings
- Clear guidance for non-specialist teachers
- Practical djembe drum lesson support, including basic playing techniques and simple progression ideas
Perfect for Travel, Workshops, EY and SEND
Need a drum that travels well? Many of our djembes are compact and lightweight. As a result, they suit outreach sessions, visiting workshops, and school events.
We also offer durable padded drum bags. These make it easier to move instruments between classrooms or sites. In addition, they help protect drums and keep storage areas tidy.
Smaller djembes work especially well for EY and preschool settings. They are easier for young children to handle. Larger models are popular in SEND settings. They are easy to play and provide strong sensory feedback through rhythm, pulse, and vibration.
Djembe Sets for Groups and Schools
Drums for Schools is well known for its carefully curated djembe sets for schools and community groups. As a result, these sets make it easier to run structured group drumming sessions.
Each set includes a balanced selection of instruments. In addition, it comes with teaching resources to support learning from the first lesson through to early performances.
Explore:
What Our Customers Say
“The children in Yr 1 and 2 were able to easily follow drum booklet and were playing a tune very quickly in their first lesson.”
Lauren Roberts
Admin Officer
The djembe has been a great success, building on a moment of interest. I do worry about uptake of instrumental tuition as fewer opportunities for live demonstrations in schools to spark an interest and perhaps fewer adults around with skills and readiness to notice and build on an interest to learn to play.
As children return to schools music and the arts are even more vital for their well-being. I think it was the wonderful Evelyn Glennie who said that music isn’t a luxury it’s a necessity.
Mary Nixon
Retired Music Advisor
These ocean drums arrived safe and are beautiful. When you use them, people’s faces are a delight and you see them close their eyes and a calmness takes over their faces, as they imagine themselves at the shoreline. In my work I have been using them as part of a soundscape exercise I do where we Drum up a Storm, also adding in thunder drums, rainsticks, a cymbal and of course djembes, to create a multi layered storm. My folks that I work with love doing this and the ocean drums are an important part of the whole thing. A valuable addition to my collection.
Tom Chalmers
Rhythm to a T
The drums are exactly what we wanted. It may be useful for you to know that we are using them for our elderly residents. Drumming has proven to be a very popular activity both socially and in terms of helping with memory and co-ordination.
Carolyn Flanagan
We’re loving the beautiful instruments we ordered. You have offered incredible service all round – it’s been a real pleasure working with you.
Gillian Travis
The Baby Room Exeter
“What a lovely set of instruments, the children love the steel drums and they make such a beautiful sound.”
Lauren Roberts
Admin Officer
The storage bag for my large and wonderful Shaman drum is perfect and I have had lots of compliments on the style.
Tom
Rhythm to a T
I’ve been using Drums for schools for a few years now, always excellent service and products.
Angela Milbourn
The 100cm rainstick completes my rainstick collection and is beautiful in colour and sound and a what a wonderful soothing and meditative element it brings to my workshops
Tom
Rhythm to a T
These drums are awesome – I use them in KS3/4 teaching all the time, and we have started a percussion club now too. The students love having proper instruments rather than standard ‘classroom percussion’ to play on. It has raised the engagement and standard.
Tor Cooper
We absolutely love our new drums. They have been used by nearly all year groups. They are lightweight, easy to hold, easy to play and the hand instructions are fab for playing different tone and bass notes.
Helen
Edenbridge Primary School
Music Lead
The ordering process was made easy by your fab team and we are very pleased with all of the items that we have bought from you so far, and would recommend your company to others.
Helen Stallard
Wolves Play Cafe
Everything was fantastic.
Joanne Draycott
Herringthorpe Junior School
School Business Manager
I am delighted with the service. I found the resource document on Shamanic drumming useful in the potential ways of positioning the drums for a shared drum experience. Overall, I’ve found the experience of purchasing easy, with fairly priced beaters and an excellent company to order from.
Karelena MacKinlay
The new djembe drums were so well received today that two of the new ladies wish to purchase their own.
The committee were over the moon and couldn’t have been more pleased if they tried.
Lynda
Drum EK
Community Musician
The large bamboo has a great tone to accompany any percussion playing and the slice in the wood gives more than one sound. When I ordered the large guiro shaker it somehow escaped me that it doubled as a shaker. So when it arrived I found by accident that it is also a shaker as well as being a rather musical guiro. Result! I have a great collection of scraper frogs and other animals and what is neat about these frogs is that the tone is so different from the others, which makes it my go to frog. Cheers.
Tom Chalmers/
Rhythm to a T
The drums have arrived and they’re absolutely fab!! Thanks so much for all your help and for the quick delivery.
MEG Volunteering Project
I am looking forward to developing my own skills and teaching schemes.
Mrs Emily Edwards
Lowerplace Primary School
My wee family of Djembes are perfect. Great quality drums, and they have gone down a treat especially with my toddler rhythm class and I will be using them in my piano and singing classes too.
Great service, highly responsive and I’m so glad I’ve found you! Thanks again
Jenna Hood
Your service was above and beyond, quite rare in today’s big retail market. Not only were you efficient, helpful and friendly I love the drum so much and such good value for money. I shall be buying again from you in the future and have passed your details onto friends as well. Many thanks,
Carolyn Freeman
I was very lucky to find Drums for Schools just before Xmas after another well-known site had let me down. They had exactly what I wanted, went above and beyond to deliver 24 hours later and the service, communication and follow-up from Hilary and the team was outstanding. Highly recommended
Andy Bryant
Bought for personal use. Great value items, very happy with them.
Anthony F
Everything went super smoothly and Hilary looked after us incredibly well. She was super friendly, professional and flexible and made everything very easy.
I am enjoying the new drums very much; they are mostly being played in shamanic groups and general drum circles. Occasionally the one I have claimed for my use only is used during shamanic treatments.
Annette Pennington
Thanks so much again for your wonderful service. Everything arrived speedily and we were delighted with all the products.
Andrea Morris
TASIS The American School in England
Co-Head of Music
I’m making good use of the drums with my Year 5 and 6 children at the moment but the plan is for everyone to use them. Everyone can do it so it’s inclusive and engaging. Even my head teacher joined our drumming circle yesterday and loved it!
St Thomas of Canterbury School
The drum was very well received by my grandson for his 8th birthday. The fact that I’d got him the bag as well helped him understand that a musical instrument needs to be looked after and treasured as well as enthusiastically used!
The ordering process worked very well. You gave me advice on the chat as well as email so I felt confident that it was the right drum for his age. You kindly told me to wait until you’d added the bag to the website the next day and checked I’d noted when the warehouse would be closed in August. All very efficient and the order duly arrived, suitably packaged. I’d ordered in plenty of time for his birthday this month.
Mary Nixon
Retired Music Advisor
The quality of all the instruments is even better than expected. We had our drum staff training a few days after they arrived and now teachers are busy planning their African drumming class teaching for our 4 year 6 classes to begin after half term, year 2 going to incorporate drums and year 5 are going to have a lunchtime African drum club with me!
Thank you so much – would definitely come back again.
Sharon Quinn
Music Lead
The ordering was smooth and easy and the instruments are now being put to good use. I cannot think of any improvements that are needed.
Anna Martel
Very easy to order and representatives that I spoke to on the phone were really helpful.
They arrived safe and sound, and are being widely used, definitely having an impact educationally!
Vicky
We love everything we buy from you. Fantastic products and service thank you.
Ysgol Bryn Deva
I was highly delighted with the order from the first point of contact to delivery. I will certainly be in touch again in the future to purchase again!
Andrea Morri
The American School in England
Co-Head of Music
My 20″ drum arrived in perfect condition and the dark colour skin as I requested is perfect. A beautiful deep mellow sound which I’m getting to know with playing often.
Thank you for your time and special attention to requests, it’s very much appreciated.
Carolyn Freeman
“The instruments you sent really are wonderful, the detail on them is really nice and the little music books for the drums were a great starter.”
Lauren Roberts
Admin Officer
Just wanted to say thank you for quick delivery, and I love the drum! Great quality, and a lovely sound. Will recommend to others!
Cath Lewis
The service you provided was so helpful, and friendly, and wonderful, I can’t review this order highly enough.
Deborah Fether
The communication and advice about which drums to buy etc was excellent and very useful.
Mrs Emily Edwards
Lowerplace Primary School
The service was fantastic, I really appreciate the help I was given and the product was perfect.
Robin Sanford
“The service received was fantastic thank you. I used to home educate my daughter and certainly wish I had found your website sooner. I will definitely recommend your services to other parents. Many thanks.”
Rachel Fyfe
I wanted to share our positive experience with Drums for Schools regarding our first purchase. The entire transaction was smooth and hassle-free. You have been incredibly prompt in your email replies, which made the purchasing process straightforward and efficient. Thank you for your excellent service—we look forward to working with you again!
Rozana Mah
“The items I ordered arrived with no problems. Both are fine. Thanks for a good service!”
Jonathan Balam
I’m very pleased with the entire order and delivery process, and the product itself. Couldn’t be happier!
Ed Summerell
Everything regarding the order was brilliant.
I struggled to pay online , but you kindly allowed payment by invoice. The gentleman I had the online chat with was excellent.
Delivery was quick and arrived safe and sound.
After such a positive experience I spoke to our music teacher who said the order was a lot cheaper than other companies.
She said she would definitely check your website first when we need an order in the future.
Jayne Blockley
A lovely Celtic harp that sounds great and came well packaged with a quick delivery. My daughter loves playing it.
Lisa Beckett
I’m absolutely delighted with my drum, beater and bag!
I have recently joined a drum circle and have been borrowing drums, but now I have my own to love and play.
The ordering process was easy, and your prices are extremely reasonable.
Alison Leigh
Drums For Schools offers the opportunity to learn about all manner of cultures through well-made instruments. Their sound is beautiful and authentic and they will last a lifetime.
Alex Soetekouw
It was very easy to order from your company and I also spoke to a very helpful lady on the phone who helped me. The order arrived on time and all items were in perfect condition. The Year 7 pupils have been enjoying earning about African music and playing on the djembes. I have not looked at your free online teaching support but will do so now.
Overall, I am very happy with the service and products and I will certainly be ordering again from your company in the future.
Alice Anderson
Head of Academic Music
I just received the Drum! It looks and sounds amazing thank you!
Mathias Berghammer
These Ocean Drums are just gorgeous to use. Shut your eyes and you are on the beach, getting your toes wet. I like to use them in a soundscape exercise where we recreate a storm at sea, bring in the rain (Rainsticks), then the turbulent seas using the Ocean Drums, thunder (Thunder Drums and Djembes) and lightening (Cymbal). The storms reaches its peak and returns to gentle playing on the ocean drums. My folks love this activity and we have done it many times. Its a never-complicated passtime that is different every time and people really get into it, focus-wise and creative-wise. Wonderful addition to my instrument collection.
Tom Chalmers
Rhythm to a T
Great service and thanks for upgrading some drums after not having originals in stock
Benjamin Eydmann
We have received our order and are very happy with the drums. They are perfect for Key Stage 2 children, who are all enjoying playing them. They are easy to store and carry around and make a surprisingly good range of sounds for their size.
Mrs Emily Edwards
Lowerplace Primary School
Thank you so much for the beautiful drum and for taking the time to match my request. It’s perfect and I’m enjoying getting to know and play the drum most days. He’s got a mellow sound and I’m very pleased with him.
Carolyn Freeman
“Your instruments have helped us to make it extra fun and interactive.”
Helen Oliver
Founder and Director
Just a quick note to say that the drums are superb and are just what we wanted. Service and advice was excellent. Would recommend for any school.
Ysgol Glanrafon, Mold
Drums For Schools offers the opportunity to learn about all manner of cultures through well-made instruments. Their sound is beautiful and authentic and they will last a lifetime. This store is a breath of fresh air in this time of soulless corporations selling cheaply made products.
Alex Soetekouw
I have received the order and I have gone through every instrument on the list and it’s all there and the instruments sound and look great! I am so pleased with the instruments and I am keen to share them with the early years staff and children.
Emma Boardman
Cheadle Hulme School
Junior School Teacher
This store is a breath of fresh air in this time of soulless corporations selling cheaply made products.
Alex Soetekouw
“The drums are superb. The covers also, they are an additional layer of protection for the heads!”
Salim Palekar
Excellent service all round, really helpful and fast. Hilary was very kind and the drums are brilliant. Thank you!
Ann Russell
As always, everything arrived quickly and in excellent condition. All received and brilliant.
Emma Counter
South Petherton Infants
Everything arrived in top condition and made an immediate impact on our students during our summer school and will be used beyond to support out music curriculum in the school.
Kieran Seymour
Head of Music
Having been searching for a suitable storage/carry bag, I found this which takes two x 65 cm djembes. A durable green material on the outside is met with sturdy walls inside, ensuring protection for my drums. Complete with two carry straps that Velcro together. I have found this the ideal solution to my problem. I can even slip in some of my Shaman drums and sandwiches too if it’s going to be a long day.
Tom Chalmers
Workshop Leader
Thank you for the drum, it arrived safely and is of good quality. My daughter has been using it on a daily basis since Christmas and loves it!
Toby
I have purchased through Drums for Schools a couple of times now. The quality of the drums is very good. They are well made, affordable, very lightweight and the sound is wonderfully mellow, with an amazingly relaxing tone. I have a friend who purchased a buffalo hide drum at great expense elsewhere, and feel the sound of this drum, matches that easily, in my opinion. The beater is lovely too and has a character all of it’s own. I would recommend not only the products but the efficient and courteous service too from both Andy and Hilary for my orders
Linda Green
We have received the full shipment of 32 Djembes. Our school is incredibly excited to begin using them in music lessons. A huge thank you to DrumsForSchools for making this possible.
Roxbourne Primary
“The items I purchased were all given as presents. They have all been used and were a point of discussion on the day of the birthday celebration. I was very happy to give them as gifts as they are well made and look good.
These should continue to give enjoyment as we explore them as a family.”
Caroline Bowen
Fabulous thank you so much for this! What a great resource your website and youtube channel are.
Abi Bailey
| The drums are fantastic! High quality and a great price! I have used them nearly every day with all year groups and some pupils are in the music room every break and lunch to play on them! The djembes have been particularly useful in teaching African music to whole classes. |
St Ambrose Barlow School
Teacher
Great use in education for sound therapy and curiosity.
Great overall experience, 10/10 very delighted.
Dan Jones
I was having trouble finding a drum bag that’s not more expensive than my drum itself, and this one not only was in my price range but is also pretty. 😁
Laurelei Dudley
Still Not Sure Which Djembe or Set Is Right for You?
If you need help choosing the right djembe or set, our team can advise. We can help with drum sizes, suitable sets, and teaching resources. As a result, you can choose with confidence and focus on making music.
📞 Contact us at sales@drumsforschools.co.uk
📞 Call +44 (0)1159 314 513
📞 Use the online chat
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a djembe hard to play?
No, the djembe is easy to start playing. Beginners can learn basic rhythms quickly. With practice, players can also develop more advanced technique and control.
What country does the djembe come from?
The djembe comes from West Africa. It is most closely linked to Guinea, but people also play it in Mali, Senegal, and Ivory Coast.
What makes the djembe different from other drums?
The djembe can produce bass, tone, and slap sounds from one drum. Because of this range, it works well for group drumming and expressive rhythm work.
Are djembes suitable for children and schools?
Yes, djembes suit children and school settings very well. Smaller sizes are easy to handle, while larger drums support group playing and sensory learning.
What size djembe should I choose?
The right djembe size depends on age and use. Smaller drums suit EY and younger learners. Full-size djembes offer deeper sound and work well in group or SEND settings.
AD-djwt0940 Age 7 - 17
AD-djwt1050 Age 7 - 17
