Embellished headbands and decorative head dresses were all the rage as youngsters put on their dancing shoes to celebrate the culture of the Commonwealth.

Ilford Recorder: Students at their carnival at Wanstead ParkStudents at their carnival at Wanstead Park (Image: Archant)

Children from Highlands Primary School wowed their parents and teachers with dances from different countries as part of a year of learning about the organisation and its history.

Their recent annual carnival at Wanstead Park featured performances from each year group as well as entertainment from the school’s African drumming group and Bollywood club.

Organiser Sandy Kaur said: “The carnival was a huge success, with the children truly representing the vibrancy of the global society we live in.”

The school’s focus on the Commonwealth, which saw each year group study a country, is part of a programme of learning about international schools.

Ilford Recorder: Students at their carnival at Wanstead ParkStudents at their carnival at Wanstead Park (Image: Archant)

It was also inspired by the Commonwealth Games, taking place in Glasgow, this summer.

Sandy said: “It has been an exciting journey for the children to understand the role the Commonwealth has to play in our lives today.”