Isle Of Wight Schools Prepare To Take Part In Dance Live! Heats In Portsmouth

Hundreds of Isle of Wight schoolchildren are preparing to take to the stage as this year’s Dance Live! heats get underway in Portsmouth throughout February.

Thanks to transport sponsorship from Wightlink, eight primary and secondary schools from across the Island will travel to Portsmouth Guildhall to perform, with each group hoping to secure a place in the finals in April.

Dance Live! combines dance, digital technology and creative design, giving young people the chance to develop performance skills as well as experience in technical production, all within a professional theatre environment.

The Island schools taking part this year are Christ The King College, Ryde School with Upper Chine, Lanesend Primary School, Medina House School, Queensgate Foundation Primary School, The Bay CE Primary School, The Bay CE Secondary School and Ryde Academy.

More than 560 students from these schools will perform on stage during the heats.

The wider impact of the event extends beyond performers, with many other pupils involved behind the scenes, helping with fundraising, costume creation, soundtrack development and digital LED screen design.

Kirstie Higgins-Day, Wightlink’s head of business development, said the company was proud to support the event.

“Wightlink is always pleased to support cultural initiatives like Dance Live!, helping Island children access opportunities on the mainland,” she said.

“We wish all the schools the very best with their performances.”

Cherry Lambert, senior producer for Dance Live!, said Wightlink’s continued support is essential to the success of the programme.

“Their generous discounts for school groups, along with reduced fares for cars and foot passengers, make it easier for friends, family and the wider school community to attend and support the performers,” she said.

“This backing ensures that schools and talented young people from the Isle of Wight can take part without barriers.

"The Island plays a huge role in the vibrancy and diversity of our programme, and thanks to Wightlink, these performers can showcase their creativity on stage.

"Together, we’re creating unforgettable experiences that connect communities across the Solent.”