Children from Merton schools took to the Royal Festival Hall stage to perform in front of a large audience last week.

Young dancers from schools including Ursuline High School, Cricket Green School and Rutlish School performed alongside Britain’s national dance company, Rambert.

Wimbledon Times:

Pupils from Rutlish School also took part in the performance

A total of 170 pupils from schools across the borough took part in the performance on Monday, March 7.

Supported by the Taylor Family Trust and the Coin Street Community Builders, the school children performed the Rambert Imprints Performance, which consisted of several dance pieces based on the company’s professional repertoire at The Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall.

Youngsters had been to see the company perform at the famous dance theatre Sadler's Wells in November, and visited the company’s studios on South Bank to take part in a workshop in honour of the company's 90th anniversary.

Year 12 BTEC Level 3 performing arts student from Raynes Park, Michaella Rutnasamy, said: “It was brilliant to be able to dance on a proper stage at an amazing venue. It’s something I’ll never forget and I hope we’ll be able to do this again in the future.”

Merton Council’s cabinet member for education Councillor Martin Whelton said: “This is a marvellous opportunity for our young people to get involved in performance arts.

"To perform at the Southbank Centre with a dance company of international standing is an experience that will stay with our young people for the rest of their lives.

"Taking part in initiatives like this can spark a love of the arts in children and could even lead to some of them becoming professional performers in the future.”