Dance Live! 2026 is underway

Competitive Heats took place in Portsmouth

This year’s Dance Live! contest for schools and colleges got off to a flying start at Portsmouth Guildhall last month, with an impressive array of performances displayed in the Portsmouth heats.

Over 6,000 students from 120 schools in Key Stage 2 through to post 16 education will take to the stage in rounds of heats taking place in Portsmouth, High Wycombe and Hastings, before a grand final takes place back at the Guildhall in April.

Dance Live! produced by the charitable The Guildhall Trust, empowers children and young people by providing them with the platform and support structures to create BIG production moments, whilst developing creative and technical skills.

Embracing an ever-evolving digital world and how this is changing the face of modern performance, choreographed routines are performed to the backdrop of a giant LED screen, showcasing a range of skills from dance and performance to technical stage skills, video production and design.

With a focus on raising aspirations, strengthening physical and mental health and wellbeing and developing skills for creative career choices, Dance Live! engages participating schools, colleges and young people in a year-long programme of development and support.

The day of the heats itself is an exciting experience for young people, with warm up dances and rehearsals before they take to the stage to perform in front of friends and family with a range of awards up for grabs, all judged by a panel of experienced professionals from the world of dance.

Dance Live! Senior Producer, Cherry Lambert said, “Dance Live 2026! so far has been incredible! The creativity and standard of performance just keep getting better year on year, and we are always amazed at the range of themes and ideas explored. But above all, Dance Live! is so inclusive with something for everyone to get involved with and it is wonderful to see young people bonding and growing in confidence before our eyes! They should all be so proud!

Schools and colleges interested in participating in future Dance Live! events are invited to apply for tickets to attend any of the regional heats or finals in Portsmouth to experience for themselves what Dance Live! is all about.

Get in touch with the team at hello@dancelive.co.uk or call 023 9387 0196.
For more information head to: www.dancelive.co.uk

Dance Live! Heats Results – Portsmouth 2026

Monday 26^th January
1^st Place: Crookhorn College
2^nd Place: The Hamble School
3^rd Place: Solent Academy Trust
Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Warden Park Academy
Video Journey Award: Testwood School
Technical Award: The Hamble School
People’s Choice Award: Solent Academy Trust

Tuesday 27^th January
1^st Place: Park Community School
2^nd Place: HSDC
3^rd Place: The Angmering School
Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Crestwood Community School
Video Journey Award: Oasis Academy Mayfield
Technical Award: Park Community School
People’s Choice Award: HSDC

Wednesday 28^th January
1^st Place: Swanmore College
2^nd Place: Mayfield School Seniors
3^rd Place: The Cowplain School
Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Eggars School
Video Journey Award: Lift Winton
Technical Award: The Cowplain School
People’s Choice Award: Peter Symonds College

Thursday 29^th January
1^st Place: Wellstead Primary School
2^nd Place: Brockhurst Primary School
3^rd Place: St Johns CofE Primary School
Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Goldsworth Primary School
Video Journey Award: Colden Common Primary School
Technical Award: Brockhurst Primary School
People’s Choice Award: Copnor Primary School

Friday 30^th January
1^st Place: Knightwood Primary School
2^nd Place: Lanesend Primary School
3^rd Place: Wimborne Primary School
Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Grateley Primary School
Video Journey Award: Harefield Primary School
Technical Award: Wimborne Primary School
People’s Choice Award: Medina House School

Monday 2^nd February
1^st Place: Portsmouth Grammar School
2^nd Place: The Academy Selsey – The Bridge
3^rd Place: St Anne’s Catholic School
Dance Live! Fellowship: St George Catholic College
Video Journey Award: Itchen Sixth Form College
Technical Award: The Academy Selsey – The Bridge
People’s Choice Award: Itchen Sixth Form College

Tuesday 3^rd February
1^st Place: Purbrook Park School
2^nd Place: Wildern School
3^rd Place: Bitterne Park School
Dance Live! Fellowship Award:
Video Journey Award: Yateley School
Technical Award: Bitterne Park School
People’s Choice Award: Purbrook Park School

Wednesday 4^th February
1^st Place: Baycroft School
2^nd Place: Durrington High School
3^rd Place: Admiral Lord Nelson School
Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Bridgemary School
Video Journey Award: George Abbot School
Technical Award: Admiral Lord Nelson School
People’s Choice Award: Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee

Thursday 5^th February
1^st Place: Wicor Primary School
2^nd Place: Orchards Junior School
3^rd Place: St Marks CofE Primary School
Dance Live! Fellowship Award: St Marks CofE Primary School
Video Journey Award: Pembridge Hall School
Technical Award: Wicor Primary School
People’s Choice Award: St Jude’s CE Primary School

Friday 6^th February
1^st Place: Highfield CE Primary School
2^nd Place: Kings Academy Rowner
3^rd Place: Mayville High School Juniors
Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Stamstaw Junior School
Video Journey Award: Highfield CE Primary School
Technical Award: Kings Academy Rowner

Monday 9^th February
1^st Place: Redbridge Community School
2^nd Place: The Bay CE Secondary
3^rd Place: Priory School
Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Oakmoor School
Video Journey Award: The Petersfield School
Technical Award: Ryde Academy
People’s Choice Award: The Petersfield School

Tuesday 10^th February
1^st Place: Saint Edmunds Catholic School
2^nd Place: Barton Pevril Sixth Form College
3^rd Place: Harrow Way Community School
Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Fareham Academy
Video Journey Award: Harrow Way Community School
Technical Award: Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill
People’s Choice Award: Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill