THE Ridgeway Community School and The Abbey School in Farnham have been gearing up for this year’s Global Rock Challenge, an international dance competition, in which The Ridgeway has taken part in for the past 11 years.

The Global Rock Challenge is all about promoting positive outcomes and healthy lives for young people throughout the world through performing arts – and giving them new options, perspective and skills.

Erika Lindsey-Clark, Ridgeway further education teacher, said: “It is a great experience and pupils thoroughly enjoy it.

“We have a joint entry for the second year running with The Abbey School and have been rehearsing since October 2016. The pupils really enjoy meeting new people, working together and learning the dance. Keely Catt. from a local dance school. has been the creator of our performance.”

Their performance entitled ’Puppet on a String’, explores the bond of family relationships during different stages of growing up.

It also addresses deeper issues such as peer pressure, dangers of being persuaded by people you don’t know and naivety linked to risk taking.

Erika added: “We are reminded how family will always be there, able to find each other and support one another through life’s little adventures.”

The performance will be taking place later this month at Portsmouth Guildhall.