STUDENTS have been strutting their stuff with professional jazz dancers.

The pupils in years seven to nine at Richmond School took part in workshops run by members of RJC, one of the country's leading black dance companies.

Some of the youngsters who took part in the workshops then went on to perform alongside the professionals in a jazz dance show at the school on Saturday.

The show, J to R&B, illustrated the influence of jazz dance on today's club scene and made reference to Latin, hip-hop, soul and rhythm and blues music.

Richard Jones, the school's director of music and arts coordinator, said the week had been a great success. "The kids were worked really hard in the workshops during the day and the group preparing for the show was worked twice as hard."

He added: "We don't do a lot of dance in the school - that is one of the targets of our bid for special arts school status. This was fast and furious and very demanding, but the kids responded really well.