Dancers have world at their feet

A GROUP of children from Henley have reached the finals of a national dance competition.

Pupils from Valley Road School beat nine other schools to win their regional heat of the Great Big Dance Off in Stevenage, with a routine inspired by the environment.

Twenty-two boys and girls from years 3 to 6 danced to Out There by Sia and Hans Zimmer, overlaid by quotes by Sir David Attenborough.

The dance was choreographed by Katie Campbell. She leads the recreational dance club at the school, which takes place at 8am on Wednesday mornings. Her daughters Taba, nine, Kiki, seven, and Indigo, four, attend the school.

She said: “It was about how we can help save the planet, with Sir David Attenborough’s voice over music. I took snippets of him saying: ‘We need to act now. We can’t sit back and wait.’ I was doing it at school so I thought it would be good to have an educational message, rather than the usual shake your bum stuff.”

The routine featured a series of leaps, lifts and jumps, and ended with the children holding up a banner saying: “Help us change the world”. They won with 144 points, 20 points more than the runners-up.

Mrs Campbell said: “I’m really proud. Lots were private schools who have a lot more time and money and effort.”

The team’s win came despite not having the time to rehearse their routine on the stage, due to unexpected traffic on the way to Stevenage.

Mrs Campbell said: “We travelled by minibus, got stuck on the M40 and missed our rehearsal slot. We got there only 35 minutes before it was due to start. We just had time to do hair, a little bit of make-up and put on outfits.”

The children said that they really enjoyed the day.

Mrs Campbell’s daughter Kiki said: “It was so exciting. Going on the minibus to a different town and performing on a huge stage was one of the best days ever.” Katie Clegg, 11, said: “The whole day made me so happy. I was with my friends, doing dance and we even got a shout on the radio. I love being in the dance group and that we can do it at school.”

Lily Haynes, eight, said: “I wonder how many people will come and support us at the final? Everyone cheered so loud and they can be even louder at the final.”

The final will take place at the New Theatre in Oxford on June 8. For tickets, visit www.atgtickets.
com/shows/great-big-dance-off-national-finals/new-theatre-oxford/