Dance Success at Queen Mary’s School: Inspiring Young Performers from Primary to Senior School
At Queen Mary’s School, dance is far more than an extracurricular activity – it is a vibrant and celebrated part of school life. From our youngest pupils taking their first steps in performance to senior dancers competing on regional and national stages, we are proud to offer an exceptional dance programme that nurtures creativity, confidence and technical excellence.
For families searching for a school with dance, a prep school with dance, a primary school with dance, or a senior school with dance, Queen Mary’s provides opportunities for every pupil to develop their passion, perform regularly and achieve their full potential.
Recent months have been particularly exciting, with remarkable individual and team successes showcasing the strength of our dance provision and reinforcing our reputation as a leading Yorkshire dance school.
A Thriving Dance Culture from Prep to Senior School
Dance plays an important role in the performing arts experience at Queen Mary’s. Pupils benefit from high-quality coaching, regular performance opportunities and the chance to explore a wide range of styles including ballet, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre, commercial and jazz.
Whether pupils are participating in dance classes at school for enjoyment, developing their skills through competitions, or pursuing professional training opportunities, they are supported every step of the way by dedicated staff who encourage both artistic and personal growth.
This commitment to excellence has helped create a culture where pupils develop confidence, resilience, teamwork and self-expression while enjoying the excitement of performance.
Performing Arts Scholar Lizzie Continues to Shine
One of the brightest examples of the opportunities available at Queen Mary’s is Year 6 Performing Arts Scholar, Lizzie, whose recent achievements have been nothing short of extraordinary.
Following an exceptionally competitive audition process involving hundreds of applicants, Lizzie secured offers from some of the country’s most prestigious ballet institutions. She has accepted places with both the Royal Ballet Mid Associates programme and Northern Ballet School, an outstanding accomplishment for a young dancer.
Her commitment to developing her craft has seen her participate in a range of elite training opportunities. Over the Easter holidays, she performed at the Elmhurst Ballet School residential and attended workshops with Ballet Britain and Northern Ballet, enhancing her skills across both classical ballet and contemporary dance.
This summer, Lizzie will continue her training through the National Youth Ballet programme, further expanding her experience within the professional dance world.
Her talents extend beyond dance alone. Lizzie recently captivated audiences with leading roles in Stagecoach productions of High School Musical and K-Pop Demon Hunters, while also achieving a Distinction in her LAMDA examination.
Lizzie embodies the creativity, determination and ambition that characterise Queen Mary’s pupils, and we are incredibly proud of her achievements as an ambassador for the arts.
Success at the Northern Schools Dance Competition
Competition season has brought outstanding results for dancers across all age groups, highlighting the strength of dance throughout the school.
At the 2026 Northern Schools Dance Competition, hosted by Queen Mary’s School, pupils delivered a series of memorable performances that earned recognition across Key Stages 2, 3 and 4.
KS4 Runners-Up with “Everytime You Go”
Our senior dancers achieved an impressive second-place finish in the KS4 category with their emotional and beautifully executed routine, Everytime You Go.
The lyrical performance demonstrated exceptional artistry, technical precision and emotional maturity. The dancers captivated audiences and judges alike through their storytelling and expressive movement, securing the title of KS4 Runners-Up in a highly competitive field.
The performance reflected not only the dancers’ talent but also the creativity, commitment and teamwork that underpin the Queen Mary’s dance programme. Watch the senior school KS4 dance performance.
KS3 Dancers Transport Audiences to Ancient Greece
The KS3 team wowed audiences with their imaginative performance, Zero to Hero.
Drawing inspiration from Ancient Greece, the routine combined dynamic choreography, strong characterisation and energetic performance quality. The dancers embraced the challenge with confidence and enthusiasm, creating a memorable and entertaining piece that showcased their versatility and creativity. Watch the senior school KS3 dance performance.
KS2 Runners-Up with “Girlfriend”
Our youngest competitors also enjoyed tremendous success.
The KS2 team secured an impressive Runner-Up position with their fun-filled routine, Girlfriend, inspired by the music and style of Avril Lavigne.
Bursting with personality, confidence and infectious energy, the performance demonstrated the enthusiasm and talent that exists throughout our Prep School. The dancers fully embraced the theme, delivering a routine that was both technically accomplished and hugely entertaining. See photos from the KS2 dance performance.
Outstanding Results at the Great Big Dance Off
Queen Mary’s dancers continued their success at the Regional Great Big Dance Off competition in Halifax.
Competing against exceptionally strong schools, including sixth form dancers, our performers once again demonstrated their talent and determination.
Both senior teams finished within the top four teams in their categories, a remarkable achievement given the standard of competition. Meanwhile, our Prep team secured a place in the top six, demonstrating that dance excellence flourishes throughout every stage of the school.
These results are a testament to the dedication of our pupils and the countless hours of rehearsal that take place behind the scenes.
Why Choose Queen Mary’s for Dance?
For families seeking a high school with dance, senior school with dance, prep school with dance or primary school with dance, Queen Mary’s offers a unique environment where young performers can thrive.
Our pupils benefit from:
- Extensive dance opportunities from Prep through to Senior School
- Regular performances and showcases
- Competitive dance experiences at regional and national level
- Specialist performing arts support
- Opportunities to pursue elite external training programmes
- A nurturing environment that develops confidence and creativity
Whether pupils dream of a professional performing arts career or simply wish to enjoy the many benefits of dance, Queen Mary’s provides an inspiring environment where every dancer can flourish.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Dance at Queen Mary’s
The recent achievements of Lizzie and our competition teams highlight the exceptional standard of dance at Queen Mary’s School. From individual success stories to team accolades, our dancers continue to impress audiences and judges alike with their passion, commitment and creativity.
As we look ahead to another exciting year of performances, competitions and training opportunities, we are immensely proud of everything our dancers have accomplished and cannot wait to see what they achieve next.
Congratulations to all of our performers for representing Queen Mary’s with such talent, dedication and enthusiasm. The future of dance at Queen Mary’s has never looked brighter.
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