Sixth-form boys did their best to swoon female classmates during their lunch break as University College School (UCS) in Hampstead held its very own version of the hugely popular ITV dating show Take Me Out.

Helping raise more than £2,000 for charity, the teenagers tried desperately to impress an intimidating panel of 20 sixth-form girls in a bid to win a date.

Clearly after brain rather than brawn, the girls tested them on their memory skills, general knowledge and – in the hope of being serenaded – their ability to play the harp.

As three of the boys left victorious, the school’s male teachers found themselves also being sized-up by their female colleagues.

English teacher Andy Mee was the lucky guy chosen to go on a date with the school secretary at UCS.

The event was part of a duo of fundraisers in aid of Mousetrap Theatre Projects, which provides drama and education opportunities to disadvantaged young people, and Claire House Hospice, a care charity for sick children.

The previous evening staff had also donned their dancing shoes to take part in a Strictly Come Dancing competition at the school, with each couple performing a dance and the pupils presenting backstage video shorts.

The audience named biology teacher Charlotte Hawes and drama teacher Matt Bulmer winners for their version of the cha-cha-cha.

Charlotte Hawes, who took part in the teachers’ Strictly Come Dancing, said: as provided: “I massively enjoyed learning the dance, squeezing in rehearsals between biology and chemistry lessons.

“Despite being really rather nervous, I had a blast performing,especially in front of my one-year-old son, whom my dad was looking after in the audience. Fingers crossed there’s a call from the BBC and you’ll see me on the small screen next October!”

The events were the brainchild of sixth-form pupils Alex Cedar and Joshua Browder.

Joshua said: “After completely selling out last year, we decided to be more ambitious with this year’s events and hope to be more successful in supporting the charities.

“It is inspiring to know that the money raised will support a range of local, national and international charities nominated by students.”

Alex added: “During the summer, I was lucky enough to work for a week at Mousetrap Theatre Projects.

“For me, the best thing about organising and presenting both these events is not only the great entertainment they offer to members of the UCS community, but also that the benefits of everyone’s hard work go directly to worthy causes chosen by students.”

They hope even more money will be raised if the school allows the shows to become a tradition.