Dance Off! Performers shine at New City College inter-schools competition

Talented young dancers took to the stage for an exciting inter-schools dance competition hosted at New City College Havering Sixth Form campus.

Six local schools competed in the high-energy event, performing a range of dance styles in front of an enthusiastic audience of parents, friends and family members. Each school entered at least two performances, with the programme featuring 13 dance pieces in total, including GCSE-level routines.

The competition was devised and organised by New City College teacher Lisa Rogers, who said the event was held to inspire the next generation of performers and showcase the opportunities available after GCSEs.

Lisa said: “Events like this are so important because they give local school students the chance to see what is available to them when they leave school. It’s fantastic to watch young people grow in confidence, perform on stage and be inspired by our own dance students.”

Schools taking part included Bower Park Academy, Marshalls Park Academy, Mossbourne Fobbing Academy, Kingsford Community School, Orsett Heath Academy and Abbs Cross Academy.

Judges scored each performance on originality, technical ability, musicality, group awareness and expression, with the standard proving incredibly high throughout the evening.

The winning schools, Abbs Cross Academy and Mossbourne Fobbing Academy, each received a £150 voucher to spend at Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Garden.

The judging panel, which included three NCC alumni, consisted of:

Jamie Webb – former professional dancer who performed at Disneyland Paris and is now Marketing Manager at New City College

Josh Harrison-Davenport – professional dancer/actor who runs his own dance school and was a former Performing Arts student at Havering Sixth Form

Louisa Pitman – Head of Dance at Loxford School, Ilford, a former A Level Dance student at Havering Sixth Form

Pia Zicchi – former Dance and Performing Arts student at Havering Sixth Form who worked with several dance companies and now works for the Ambulance Service

While the judges deliberated, A Level Dance students from Havering Sixth Form entertained the audience with a special showcase performance.

Teachers praised the event for giving students valuable insight into studying dance and performing arts at college level.

Teacher Isabelle from Mossbourne Fobbing Academy, pictured above with students, said: “Thank you so much for having us, the event was fantastic. The dancers had an amazing time and will definitely be returning next year!”

Alisha, Subject Lead for Dance at Kingsford Community School, added: “We had a brilliant time at the competition, and we are so grateful to New City College for creating these dance opportunities for our students. It was such a great way for them to be inspired and a chance for them to watch the A Level Dance students.”

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