In pictures: Students from 20 primary schools perform at dance festival

More than 700 youngsters from 20 primary schools in the area took to the stage at an annual dance festival in Maidenhead last week.

Students kept audiences entertained as they performed at the Primary Dance Festival 2023 on Wednesday, February 8 and Thursday, February 9.

The annual dance celebration, organised by Ascot & Maidenhead School Sport Partnership, was created in schools across the partnership by teachers and students, and was held for the second year in the Baylis Theatre at Braywick Leisure Centre.

Titled ‘Kings & Queens’, the event took inspiration from the upcoming coronation of the King and the Queen Consort and explored a range of themes, from Paddington to pearly Kings and Queens.

Youngsters aged five to 11 performed at the event which featured a number of schools including: Boyne Hill CE Infant and Nursery School, All Saints CE Junior School, Courthouse Junior School, St Edmund Campion, Furze Platt Junior School and Manor Green School. Performances were carried out by whole class- sized groups.

The Junior Dance Company – a talented group auditioned from schools across the partnership – also performed at the event.

Audiences were also treated to a showcase performance from Newlands Girls’ School.

Emma Fitzgerald, partnership development manager at Ascot & Maidenhead School Sport Partnership, said: “What a brilliant couple of days.

“The mornings were freezing cold as the schools gathered outside the centre, but the rehearsals were red hot once we got everyone indoors.

“All of our schools were terrific, and we were particularly pleased to welcome Manor Green back with their touching dance about Paddington coming to London, using Makaton sign language too.

“The children were so well behaved all the way down to our youngest performers – some aged only five years old.

“We were very proud of each and every one of our almost 780 performers including a great showcase from Newlands Girls’ School.”

She added: “We are really proud to be able to create special memories for the future for our children.

“Our schools put in weeks of hard work to prepare for this Festival, and I’m really pleased the Partnership is still able to provide this special performance opportunity and positive experience for them to feel part of something bigger.

“I would like to thank Leisure Focus for their support.

“This is a true celebration of dance.”