Britney Spears visits a New York schoolBritney Spears donated $10,000 to a New York school yesterday on behalf of the company behind her perfume range, Elizabeth Arden.

While promoting her new single ‘Womanizer’ in the city, the singer dropped by John Philip Sousa Junior High School to present the cheque, which will be used to fund a year-long music programme for the school.

As the school was closed for the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, a selection of students, including the school’s eight-piece band, were specially asked to attend a concert for a “high profile guest” - but students were surprised to discover on the day that it was Britney.

One student is quoted as saying: “I can’t believe she’s here,” said one star-struck pupil, “I couldn’t say anything – it’s Britney. I was shell-shocked.”

Britney signed autographs and posed for photos with the students after performances by the band, an all girl chorus and a 14 year old soloist.

Speaking after the event, she told People magazine: “I really enjoyed [it]. I loved hearing the school orchestra and the children sang so beautifully.

“The fact that Elizabeth Arden made such a large donation for the school music studio in my name was so generous.”

Elizabeth Arden is behind Britney’s fragrances Believe, Fantasy and Curious.