Last night (Monday 28th April), hundreds of dancers from across Greater London participated in Step Around Town 2025, an event that showcased the skills and creativity of young people in the capital.
Over 100 school students took to the stage at the Royal Academy of Dance to perform a variety of different dance styles in front of a rapturous audience.
Participating schools included:
– Lady Margaret School
– Ark Walworth Academy
– Cheam High School
– Kensington Aldridge Academy
– City Heights E-ACT Academy
– Raynes Park High School
Alexander Campbell, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Dance said: “It was a joy to see so many young people come together and perform last night at Step Around Town in Wandsworth. The Step Around Town events are inspiring, energetic and a vivid demonstration of the RAD’s belief in the power of dance.”
Councillor Sana Jafri, Mayor of Wandsworth said: “It was fantastic to experience the power of dance at Step Around Town Wandsworth and its impact on young people, particularly their health and wellbeing. What an exciting event that brought together young dancers from different cultures.”
Gemma Juma, Chief Executive Officer of the Jack Petchey Foundation, said: “Step Around Town is an opportunity for these talented young people to put on a show for their friends, family and local community. The Jack Petchey Foundation is proud to partner with the Royal Academy of Dance to put on these events to provide young people with opportunities to build their skills, confidence and inspire others to get involved with dance.”
At the event, there was also a performance by the Step into Dance’s youth company, SYNC. Annabelle age 12, a SYNC dancer from Hayes School in Bromley, said: “I love to perform, it makes me so happy.”
Nicole, aged 14 from Woodcote High School in Croydon said: “As a young person, participating in Step Around Town Wandsworth and being part of SYNC is very empowering.”
Step Around Town is one of several events created by the Step into Dance programme, the UK’s largest inclusive dance programme for secondary school students. Established in 2006, Step into Dance is a Royal Academy of Dance programme in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation.
At a time where 84% of schools no longer offer a GCSE in dance, Step into Dance enables young people to develop their passion, skills and understanding of dance. Working with mainstream and SEND schools and youth groups across London and Essex, Step into Dance reaches over 4,000 students annually through a diverse and inclusive programme of weekly classes, workshops and performance opportunities, aiming to reach those that might not otherwise connect with dance.
Step Around Town Westminster is one of a variety of events taking place across Greater London as part of the Step Around Town programme. Other Step Around Town events that are happening across the capital from April to May include the London boroughs of Croydon, Camden, Haringey and Bexley.
Tickets to all Step Around Town events will be available on the door where you are encouraged to make a donation. To find out more about the events and find one in your local area visit: https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/event/step-around-town/
