Step to Dance launches an ‘ambassadors’ scheme for east London schools

A ‘Young Ambassadors’ scheme is being started by the UK’s largest inclusive secondary school dance programme involving schools in east London and Essex.

It is being staged today at the Royal Academy of Dance in Battersea by Step into Dance, which runs classes in 200 schools including 17 in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Barking & Dagenham.

The new group of Young Ambassadors were all nominated by their teachers as confident and reliable pupils with passion and enthusiasm to represent the programme in their areas.

They act as hosts at local events, keeping in touch with MPs, and will meet and greet VIPs at the ‘Step Live’ event on July 5 at Sadler’s Wells.

The scheme gives them social and professional skills that will help them at school and beyond. Ambassadors learn the art of public speaking, then join rehearsals and learn event management skills.

Classes involving 6,000 youngsters are run by the Royal Academy of Dance and are paid for by east London’s Jack Petchey Foundation.