Dancers Stavros Flatley and pop duo Same Difference marked the “end of an era” at a Bushey secondary school this afternoon.

More than 500 teenagers filled the main hall of Bushey Hall School, in London Road, for a two hour musical extravaganza held the day before pupils and staff start their summer holidays.

On August 31, however, the school will close and the following day, September 1, the Bushey Academy will open its doors.

The new academy will specialise in business and communications.

During the concert, there were performances by singers Frozen, hip hop dance group Toybox, former X Factor contestants Same Difference and Britain's Got Talent finalists Stavros Flatley, during which the father and son act was joined by teachers James Ride, Sandy Stevens and John Wall.

Frozen then returned to the stage for the finale.

Mike Tearle, a school governor and member of Bushey Hall School Association (BHSA), was one of the organisers.

He said: “Because the school is closing, we thought we would throw an end of term party for the students and staff.

“We had some money from what we had raised through the year and wanted to spend it. It's just all about giving them a good time. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”

Outgoing headteacher Graham Yapp, who leaves Bushey Hall this summer after two years, praised Mr Tearle and the BHSA for organising a “fantastic” event.

He said: “The BHSA really wanted to mark the end of an era. They had a little bit of money left over and wanted to give the pupils something they would always talk about, something they would remember for the rest of their lives.

“As outgoing head, I wish Andy [Hemmings, the proposed academy headteacher] and all the staff all the success for the future.

“There's a feeling of great optimism. To get the academy set up and to get this school a specialism and get sponsors and to give the school a future that was not in question is something we've been working on for two years. It's a great feeling.”

Mr Hemmings thanked Mr Yapp for his “tireless effort” to get the school ready for its transition.

He added: “It's a lovely way to finish the school year and say farewell to Bushey Hall. There's a great feeling of excitement among the staff and of the academy going forward.”

Among the acts to perform were Frozen, who sang pop covers and hits from the High School Musical films.

Dave Cain said: “The kids were awesome. They were up and dancing.”

Kelly Gray, who performs alongside her sister Natalie, added: “It was a really good atmosphere. They loved it.”

In addition to the music event, it was also a non-school uniform day at Bushey Hall, which raised £500 for the Peace Hospice.

Nicky Maxwell, community fundraiser, said: “All the groups were really great. The kids were screaming and going mad. It was a really good atmosphere and it's really nice they have put on a show to celebrate the new academy.

“We're quite lucky with a lot of local businesses and schools. It's nice to know we get support from Bushey.”