It was hailed as the school where no-one wanted to play truant.

There was so much going on, both in and out of class, at St Nicolas School, Abingdon, that every pupil wanted to be there.

The ballet school was run by Geraldine Shayler, a visiting teacher from a local school of ballet.

The young dancers' ages ranged from five to 11.

The ballet school had about 60 girl pupils at the time - and one boy, nine-year-old Mathew Holmes. The children had been taken to the theatre to watch ballet and were delighted when they were given two former Royal Ballet Swan Lake 'little swan' costumes.

St Nicolas was built as a secondary school, but became a primary when Fitzharrys Secondary School opened in 1959.

The Oxford Mail reported: "In a relatively confined space, the primary school conducts a list of extra-curricula activities that would make many secondary schools green with envy.

"The school is fortunate in having highly qualified staff in a number of subjects."

Apart from ballet, the school offered gymnastics, French lessons and tuition in making ceramics and also had an orchestra.

Headmaster Peter Marsh said: "This is a happy school. We try to encourage the children to get into the outside world and take part in as many outside activities as possible.

"This sort of thing makes their attitude to academic things so much better - and may explain why the school attendance officer's visits here each week are somewhat routine.

"He has not had to deal with a single case of truancy in 14 years."

Where are all the young ballet dancers now?