PUPILS from a Cullingworth school are taking to the stage as part of a Yorkshire-wide competition to keep young people on the right track.

Parkside is participating for the first time in the annual Be Your Best Rock Challenge.

As part of the venture, more than 2,000 students from across the district will converge on the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham on Tuesday (Apr 26).

Last year's Northern Premier Final of the contest was won by Thornton Grammar School in Bradford, which returns for the competition this year.

Of the nine other Bradford-district schools taking part, five – including Parkside – are making their debut.

The challenge was set-up by the Be Your Best Foundation, to enable young people to perform live on a professional stage.

As well as performing, the pupils choreograph, write and design every aspect of the plays.

Teams comprising as few as ten or as many as 135 students will have up to eight minutes to perform their chosen theme to an audience of family, friends, VIPs, sponsors and industry professionals.

Younger pupils take part in a J Rock contest.

Senior event manager Samantha Eastwood said: “Every year we are amazed by the amount of time and effort schools put into creating their Rock Challenge and J Rock performances.

"Schools learn the importance of team work and perseverance as their many hours of hard work pay off in spectacular performances.

“This experience is the highlight of so many young people’s school careers and creates lasting memories for years to come.”

Involving more than 330 schools across the country, this year’s UK Rock Challenge and J Rock tour is expected to reach 20,000 young people between the ages of seven and 18 and upwards of 38,000 audience members.

The Rock Challenge events have been successfully held at St George’s Hall in Bradford and West Yorkshire Playhouse in previous years but this is the first time it has been held at the Rotherham venue.

Originating in Australia, global Rock Challenge events have been staged since 1988 in 120 locations in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the UK, South Africa, Germany and United Arab Emirates, with over one million participants.

The Rock Challenge was introduced to the UK in 1996 by Hampshire Constabulary with the aim of helping young people to enjoy school and pursue proactive and positive lifestyles free of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.