Confident students showcased their dance skills to parents and friends in a memorable evening at the Academy.

The Dance Showcase was a huge success and involved students from across all year groups in solo performances, duets and groups.

The evening, organised and choreographed by PE teacher Rebecca Longmate, featured the Dance Club and GCSE Dance students.

Maisie Allenby, from Year 11, opened the show with a solo called A Sparkling Diamond before the Dance Club, an extra-curricular activity, performed to Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill.

A solo from Year 11’s Grace Wood was followed by energetic Dance Club students dancing to You Can’t Stop the Beat from the musical, Hairspray.

GCSE Dance students took to the stage in a contemporary dance to Skinny Love, followed by a group contemporary dance from Year 10 and 11 students, Maisie, Grace, Holly Franks and Madeleine Barnsley.

Primrose Gilliatt and Amelia Barratt danced a classical ballet, followed by a showdance of Killer Queen by Year 10 student Belle Greenacre.

Holly gave a moving performance of contemporary dance to Mr Sandman while Grace and Maisie performed another showdance.

Madeleine danced ballet to Carmen before GCSE students performed a final showdance of Fame.

All came on in a finale to round off an entertaining evening.

Mrs Longmate was delighted how the event had gone.

“All students have worked incredibly hard leading up to the night showing great commitment by attending rehearsals weekly and developing their performance skills,” she said.

Principal Nigel Whittle was “very impressed” with all of the performances.

“It was clear that all involved had worked incredibly hard to make the show a success and it was a fantastic event,” he said.

“They should all be very proud.”