Pupils from five Haringey schools performed in front of an audience of hundreds with the Mayor of Haringey for this year’s Step Around Town dance extravaganza.

The dance programme is one of several events created by the Royal Academy for secondary schools for young people in London and Essex to discover their dance potential and helping create “a sense of community” and belonging.

“It is always inspiring watching so many young dancers,” Royal Academy of Dance artistic director Gerard Charles said.

“They come together to share their enthusiasm, showing how well they dance and show their individual accomplishments.”

Performances by 80 pupils from the five schools featured pieces created by the youngsters themselves, with dance styles including hip-hop, contemporary and lyrical jazz.

They were staged at the Harris Academy Tottenham on April 26. The other schools taking part were St Angela’s Ursuline, St John Payne, Highams Park and Hornsey Girls.

The Step Around Town programme is run by professional dancers and artists working with mainstream and special schools in London and Essex, in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation, to enable youngsters to develop their passion, skills and understanding of dance.

It reaches 3,000 pupils a year through weekly classes, workshops and performances, involving youngsters who might not otherwise get the chance to experience dance.

Those joining in acquire skills that transfer to be successful in whatever their future holds.

The Royal Academy programme has a global membership in 85 countries. It was established in 1920 to improve standards and reinvigorate dance training, encouraging teachers to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.

There are currently 1,000 students in full-time or part-time teacher-training programmes using the examination syllabus taught to thousands of youngsters, with around 250,000 pupils a year taking exams with the Royal Academy.

The objective is to reach as many young people as possible through regular sessions in schools, involving those who might not otherwise have the chance to experience dance.

The next Step Around Town hour-long public performance is on May 4 at Riddlesdown Collegiate in Croydon. Tickets will be available on the door.