PUPILS at Derby High School in Bury are being kept “on their toes” this week.

The Radcliffe Road school has been given the privilege of hosting an entire week with the Birmingham Royal Ballet in residence.

The project has been funded by the Transformation Trust, and has been working not just with students at The Derby, but also with three of its partner primary schools — Radcliffe Hall CE/Methodist Primary, St Andrew’s CE Primary and St Peter’s CE Primary.

Three weeks ago, 120 students went to watch Birmingham Royal Ballet perform “The Sleeping Beauty” at The Lowry in Salford. And this week the roles have been well and truly reversed with some of those attached to the ballet company visiting the Bury school.

The aim is to allow the same students to explore the story, themes, choreography and dance techniques of the ballet so they can produce their own performance, which is entitled “Beauty Sleep”.

The week will culminate tomorrow with a special performance for parents and the community.

Derby High spokesman Mr Damion Langford said: “This project is aimed at engaging and challenging participants with little or no experience of ballet.

“It is a fantastic opportunity, which will be a truly memorable experience for all those involved.”