Celebrations all round as New Hall School wins dance innovation award

New Hall School has won the Innovation in Dance Education Award at the UK Dance Awards 2026, celebrating the thriving Dance provision at the School. The national recognition crowns an exceptional year for the School, which was also shortlisted for the Excellence in Dance Education Award and has celebrated outstanding achievements on national and international stages.

Mrs Katherine Jeffrey, Principal of New Hall School, said: “We are delighted that our Dance provision has been recognised with the Innovation in Dance Education Award. This achievement reflects the creativity and dedication of our staff, who inspire students of all abilities to discover the joy of Dance.”

In July this year, students represented the School at the Dance World Cup in Dublin, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious international dance competitions, bringing together thousands of young performers from more than 60 countries. Competing against some of the best dancers in the world, New Hall represented Team England and achieved top ten finishes in eight categories.

The international success follows another remarkable achievement earlier this year, when New Hall was crowned Overall Winner at the World Dance School Championships. During the competition, one of the judges praised the exceptional standard of performance, telling the audience: “New Hall School must have the best after-school club in the world – I want to join!”

Success also extends to the School’s Preparatory Divisions. Anya (Year 4) was recently selected to perform in Wagner’s Parsifal at the Royal Opera House, which runs from 1–17 October. Following a successful audition and many rehearsals, she made her debut last week. Other pupils have recently performed in the English Youth Ballet’s production of Giselle and secured places on the Royal Ballet School’s Junior Associate Programme.

Dance is one of the most popular co-curricular activities at New Hall, with more than 300 students participating each week. Opportunities are available for all abilities, from beginners discovering a love of Dance to elite competition teams performing on national and international stages, including many of the School’s international boarders. Students who wish to develop their passion further can also study the BTEC Performing Arts qualification, providing an excellent foundation for higher education or a future career in the performing arts.

Mrs Sarah Molina, Head of Dance at New Hall School, said: “At New Hall, we believe Dance should be accessible to everyone, whether they dance for enjoyment or aspire to compete at the highest level. From beginners taking their first steps in the studio to students representing the School internationally, every dancer is encouraged to develop their confidence and love of performance.”