SWINDON Academy was all about rhythm and beat when boys dance group Stereotype visited the school for a demonstration and workshop to prove the art is not just for girls.

The youngsters, who are all aged between 11 and 16 and part of one of two of Swindon Dance's boys-only groups which gives the teens a chance to find their feet across a mixture of different disciplines.

The group works creatively through contemporary and various other dance styles to create performance pieces for local and regional platforms .

They gave a demonstration of their talent and skills on Friday morning before helping to teach their peers how they could strut their stuff in a workshop with one of the country's leading male dance teachers, Merville Jones.

Their visit to Swindon Academy is just one of several school-based workshops Stereotype will deliver as the group tours Swindon in the Swindon Dance Boys Project, which aims to get more boys involved in dance.

"Dance is a fantastic way for boys to burn off energy, learn discipline and strength and do something fun and artistic," said Emma Jones, education and development manager for Swindon Dance.

"Boys are often put off dance because they think it's just for girls. Stereotype's tour will show that boys can dance – and look cool.

"We're really pleased that Pebley Beach is involved and helping to make this happen."

Schools along the tour include Commonweal School, Churchfields Academy and Robert Le Kyng Primary School.

Rebecca Woolven, subject leader for dance at Swindon Academy said: "The Swindon Dance Boys Project is creating a real buzz at our school. Boys from year seven to 10 - with limited dance experience but a lot of enthusiasm and a thirst to learn a new skill and discipline - will really show what talent we have. Watch out for what I believe to be an amazing end project in June."

The tour was made possible from

thanks to a £3,000 investment from Pebley Beach, as well as access to the Bridgemead-based dealership's marketing expertise.

Dominic Threfall, managing director of Pebley Beach, said: "We're pleased to support the work of an internationally-reputed organisation right here in Swindon.

"Before I was approached by Swindon Dance I wasn't aware of what a huge asset it is to our town. But it was their long-standing reputation for getting boys into dance which really grabbed our attention. Pebley is committed to recruiting and training young people so we realised there was a synergy."

For more information about Swindon Dance visit www.swindondance.org.uk.