Music and dance at Helena Romanes School in Dunmow

The school's director of music, James Cairns, has been unpacking boxes of new musical instruments which were purchased thanks to a donation from the Rotary Club of Dunmow Collinson Legacy Fund.

New saxophones at Helena Romanes (Image: HRS)

Instruments donated include electric keyboards, West African drums, a 30-piece Gamelan set, a 30-piece Samba set, trumpets, Bhangra drumming sets, professional Dhol drums, saxophones, glockenspiels and Boomwhackers.

Mr Cairns is collaborating with community groups to perform at the town's Flitch Trials, and is organising events for nearby primary schools and musical groups to access Helena Romanes' new instruments.

He thanked the Rotary Club of Dunmow for their donation, saying: "The impact of this legacy is profound, thank you."

Dancers in Years 10 to 13 learnt routines from 'Singin' in the Rain' (Image: HRS)

The school will hold a recital evening at 6.30pm on Thursday, March 21, with tickets available through the school after half term.

Dancers at Helena Romanes also enjoyed a workshop with professional dancer Megan Speirs on Tuesday, February 13.

Megan was part of the West End cast of Mamma Mia, and is about to embark on another 13-month contract around Asia with the show's touring company.

Dancers took part in workshops with professional dancer Megan Speirs (Image: HRS)

Pupils in Years 7 to 9 learnt part of Megan's recent audition dance to the song 'Gimme! Gimme!', as well as an energetic routine to 'Waterloo'.

Megan taught Years 10 to 13 original routines from Singin' in the Rain, which she toured with around the world.

This was especially beneficial to A-level dancers, as Singin' in the Rain is a core requirement for their theory exam at the end of Year 13.

Dancers learning their routines at Helena Romanes (Image: HRS)

The class started with an energetic warm up, followed by stretching, core work and dance combinations, learning the 'Broadway' medley and the classic 'Singin' in the Rain' dance.

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At the end of the workshop pupils asked Megan questions about her training and career.

Head of dance Mrs Judd said: "It was joyous to see the dancers take on a challenging workshop and have a brilliant time doing it."

Pupils will perform their routines in their 'Dance around the Decades' show on Wednesday, April 17.

Dancers in Years 7 to 9 learnt routines from 'Mamma Mia' (Image: HRS)