Arts school has to do encore of awards shows

West Yorkshire Theatre Dance Centre (WYTDC), which teaches over 400 children in more than 100 classes per week, held three prize givings at Ossett Town Hall earlier this month.

The performing arts school, which is based at Fairfield Road in Ossett and at a secondary site in Skelmanthorpe, has pupils aged from just one to 18.

The decision was made to host a trio of ceremonies so each child could have their special time on stage.

The jam-packed day included updates from principal Sarah Thomas, performances from senior students and dancers from the newly formed WYTDC Competition Team, as well as awards and recognition for every child who attended.

Miss Thomas said: “Our awards celebration day was an amazing testimony to the fantastic children and parents of the school. Seeing the pupils’ delight in receiving their award, the adoration as younger dancers watched the senior students perform and their joy as they danced together in the flash mob made me a very proud principal.”

Special awards were given in different areas of dance as well as for improvement and dedication.

Alice Kearford, eight, won the annual scholarship while university bound Amy Osborne, who joined the dance school aged four, was given a ‘Lifetime Achievement award’ - some 14 years after being best newcomer.

Senior dance teacher Catherine Revell said: “It was an amazing day for teachers, students and parents alike. We loved seeing all the students’ faces light up when they came on stage to receive their awards and a highlight was certainly when they all got up to dance together at the end.”