A PRIMARY school believes it has beaten an unusual world record.

Pupils at Winter Garden Academy, on Canvey, attempted to beat the record for the number of people dancing to Oops Upside Your Head.

The song is typically danced to by sitting on the floor in rows and performing a rhythmic “rowing” action.

The origin of this unusual dance, unique to this track, is credited to DJ Steven Green who got on the dancefloor of the Millionaire Night club in Farnworth.

It was especially popular during the Eighties.

The current record stands at 258 people performing the routine at the same time for five minutes, but the school believes it has smashed the record with 364 pupils taking part.

There has currently been no official verification, but the school is confident they have got the new record.

If verified, their feat will appear in the next Guinness Book of World Records.

Gemma Thurston, deputy headteacher at the school, said: “We decided to do a world record attempt for the largest Oops Upside your head dance as the ultimate growth mindset challenge.

“This was part of our Wellbeing Week that has promoted health and wellbeing for pupils and their families.

“We were so proud of our brilliant children who have persevered to learn the dance and have committed 100 per cent to this world record attempt.

“We had such great support from the community, including councillor Steven Cole and professional dance teacher Linda Isaacs, who were our official witnesses.

“Although it is not officially verified, we believe 364 pupils successfully completed the dance.

“This smashes the current world record of 258.”

Mr Cole, who attended the event, said it was fantastic to see the children enjoying themselves.

He added: “I am really chuffed for them.

“They have really worked hard to get the record.

“The children have been practising as they had to be perfect in the routine.

“They had to do it for five minutes and the children were fantastic - walking in, sitting down and starting when the whistle blew and stopping when it did.

“It was a real honour to be asked to adjudicate.

“The children really enjoyed themselves and they were smiling all the way through it.

“It’s a great achievement.”

The song, originally released as I Don’t Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops!), peaked at number six in the UK charts in 1980.

It was a firm favourite for parties and at discos throughout the Eighties and early Nineties.