PRIMARY and secondary school students united for a production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Tuesday night.

Different years from Samuel Rhodes School, a special needs schools with buildings in Highbury New Park and Finsbury Park, joined forces to perform for their parents.

Marwa and Zelal, both 14 

Pupils practised lines and their dance moves during rehearsals at the school in Highbury New Park during the day.

“I am so excited to be Willy Wonka,” said Husen, 16. He added: “It’s going to be incredible. We’ve all worked so hard. My favourite bit is when I’m talking to Veruca Salt. It’s an amazing production and our director Chelsea has been amazing.”

Billy, 15, who starred as Aladdin in last year’s school production of the fairytale, is playing the role of Charlie. “I’m quite nervous,” he said. “It will go well, though,” he added.

Ben, 7, Kieran 10 give the production a thumbs up 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a Roald Dahl tale about a young boy’s adventures in an eccentric inventor’s sweet factory.