Finals have taken place at Portsmouth Guildhall
This year’s Dance Live! contest for schools and colleges came to a thrilling culmination in a series of Finals held at Portsmouth Guildhall last week!
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 participants in a year-long programme of development and support.
The finals featured the 30 highest scoring schools and colleges from a series of heats which had welcomed over 6,000 students from 120 schools from across the country to participate at Portsmouth, High Wycombe and Hastings.
Dance Live! Senior Producer, Cherry Lambert said, “Dance Live! is where creativity lights up the stage! In 2026, participants yet again raised the bar and boldly explored the intersection of technology, performance and original ideas. So much more than just choreography, Dance Live! is about storytelling, collaboration, innovation and the extraordinary energy that emerges when young people are trusted to lead. We are incredibly proud of everyone that took part this year!”
Teachers were also full of praise for Dance Live!
“We love it! The opportunities you provide our children are incredible!”
“Students have loved every minute and were so excited to perform in the finals! They have put so much time and effort into this”
“We have a significant number of SEN children and children with pupil premium participating. This experience is life changing for them – they adore rehearsals and the opportunity to perform on a big stage – Thank you!”
Dance Live! FINALS RESULTS
Tuesday 21st April
1st Place: Purbrook Park School
2nd Place: HSDC
3rd Place: Crookhorn College
People’s Choice Award: HSDC
The Vernon Vogue Award: Temple Moor High School
Wednesday 22nd April
1st Place: Portsmouth Grammar School
2nd Place: The Academy Selsey – The Bridge
3rd Place: St Oscar Romero Catholic School
People’s Choice Award: Park Community School
The Vernon Vogue Award: Tanbridge House School
Thursday 23rd April
1st Place: Wicor Primary School
2nd Place: St John’s C of E Primary School
3rd Place: Lanesend Primary School
People’s Choice Award: Wicor Primary School
The Vernon Vogue Award: Mayville High School Juniors
Friday 24th April
1st Place: Orchards Junior School
2nd Place: Wimborne Primary School
3rd Place: Highfield CE Primary School
People’s Choice Award: Wimborne Primary School
The Vernon Vogue Award: Orchards Junior School
The Vernon Vogue Award:
Chosen by our official Dance Live! photographer, the Vernon Vogue Award celebrates the moment that truly captures the essence of a performance through the lens. This award recognises the performers and teams who create a visually striking and unforgettable image, where everything comes together seamlessly. It’s about the full package: storytelling, performance quality, facial expression, energy, composition and stage presence, all aligning in a single captured moment.
Registration to compete in Dance Live! 2027 will be opening soon.
Schools and colleges that have not participated before are invited to get in touch with the team to find out more: hello@dancelive.co.uk or call 023 9387 0196.
For more information head to: www.dancelive.co.uk