HE IS groovy. That was the description of the new Archbishop of York from one pupil at Tadcaster Grammar School.

Dr John Sentamu popped into the school to meet Christian students during his first day of getting to know the York Diocese.

He also had a cup of tea with women inmates at Askham Grange Open Prison, at Askham Richard, near York, and popped into West Oaks Special School in Boston Spa.

In Tadcaster, Dr Sentamu met student members of the Mozambique Support Group, a charity based at the school which raises money to help a secondary school in Mueda, northern Mozambique.

He also chatted to members of the Reach Out project, a peer counselling scheme run by older students to help younger ones settle into school.

Luke Tillett, 18, from Tadcaster, and Chris Johnson, also 18, from Bishopthorpe, York, escorted Dr Sentamu around the school. Luke said: "We are involved in the Christian stuff at school and set up a room called the Reflectory, so pupils can have a quiet time and prayer.

"I think the Archbishop is groovy. He is a breath of fresh air. I hope he will bring traditional values, but also enliven the church."

Chris, who runs Reach Out, said: "He is such a character. He has got a different way of looking at things."

Dr Sentamu told the Evening Press he had an amazing day. "The Reach Out project and the Mozambique Support Group are two superb examples of how we can be an outward-looking society, and it is a privilege to meet these young people who are devoting so much time and energy to caring for others," he said.

Tadcaster head teacher Geoff Mitchell said: "We are absolutely delighted that he has come to the school and brought a ray of light on a gloomy, dismal day."

Yesterday evening, Dr Sentamu met church members and others from the New Ainsty Deanery, which includes Tadcaster, Boston Spa and villages to the west and south of York.

Updated: 09:03 Saturday, January 07, 2006