ONE of the highlights of the Queen's visit earlier this month was the dazzling dance display put on by many Harrow youngsters.

Her Majesty was bowled over by the wealth of exuberance and ability on show, and was particularly taken by the talented youngsters from the Sai School, a voluntary school in Abercorn Road, Stanmore.

The Saturday school, which aims to imbue youngsters of all backgrounds with spiritual and moral values, presented two special dance routines for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

For headteacher Ranu Metha Radia it capped off the extraordinary rise in popularity for the school, which started out with only two classrooms and now boasts an impressive 500 pupils.

Mrs Radia, who spoke to the Queen about the role of her school and its importance to the community, said: "The Queen seemed very interested and spoke warmly about our school."

Children from Sai School brought colour and excitement to the festivities. Their show was a unique blend of eastern and western influences.

Mrs Radia said: "The image we wanted to portray was one of Asian children embracing both cultures equally."

Eleven boys, dressed as sailors, performed a military march to the tune of the national anthem, while 15 boys and 12 girls delighted the crowds with a dance set choreographed to the national song of India.

One of the girls, 11-year-old Karishma , was part of the team to put on a show befitting this royal occasion.

Her proud mum Lavina, who watched the dance with eldest daughter Caroleena, 12, said: "Karishma was really excited about today and was practising right up until the last minute. She loves going to the Sai School and it has been so beneficial to her development."

Sai children, who attend free classes at Stanburn School, have a history of making royal performances.

They danced for the Queen at her golden jubilee celebrations last year, and were at the head of a procession along The Mall, ending up in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

Children aged from four to 15 attend lessons every Saturday morning where they are taught human values and how to become good citizens.

Mrs Radia said: "Our ethos aims to instill the pupils with a strong cultural heritage. With 42 per cent of Harrow being South Asian it is important to give the children citizenship values so that we can give Britain the best possible citizens in the future."

Teacher Varsa Mistry echoed her headteacher's sentiments. She said: "The children learn about all other religions and do meditation, prayer, games and quizzes.

"The emphasis is on having fun but also teaching them how to apply religious scriptures to modern life through self-regulation and discipline."

The school has been going for 12 years and does a lot of work for the community. Through the Sai Citizenship Programme, children are encouraged to help the elderly and those with special needs, with the school also supporting St Luke's Hospice in Kenton.

Mrs Radia is adamant that setting up such schemes has a positive impact on the children's development.

She said: "Classes with children as young as five and six adopt a local charity to support, this makes them more aware of social issues and doing good."

Such dedication earned the school runner-up spot in the Queen's Golden Jubilee Voluntary Awards last year.

Dinesh Shonchhatra is convinced the school is good for his son. Little Neil, six, was one of the eleven marching sailors as his beaming dad watched from the crowd.

Dinesh said: "He's been at the school for two years and has already learned how to be more disciplined and to respect all religions."

The recent tragedy in Madrid may point towards a chasm of difference between East and West and a depressing future of tit for tat terrorist attacks.

However, with organisations like the Sai School preaching tolerance and understanding to young children, the next generation should offer hope of a brighter future.