And also Lucy’s own words:

‘BTEC Level 3 dance was so much more than simply a ‘dance class’ for me. It provided me with some crucial and elemental life skills that no other subject was capable of and allowed me to learn some valuable life and personal lessons. Dance has always been a huge part of my life and continues to be now during my degree level studies at Royal Holloway University where I study BA History. I have joined the Dance Society and aim to continue dancing for fitness, socially, but most importantly,for other reasons. 

‘Despite not taking dance as my finalised career path, I believe that this does not detract from the importance of educating young people about the performing arts sector and industry, as dance really provided me with the shaping I needed to flourish into an independent, artistic and capable individual. Studying a creative subject is so important as it creates an evident break from sitting at a desk all day and allows for elements of artistry to be seen - an idea which is not always possible in typical ‘academic’ studies. Dance really provided this break from academic study for me. 

‘A Levels are an extremely strenuous level of qualification, yet I felt as though dance was my time to be at one with my passion and to allow my brain to distinguish between what is academic and what is creative. Artistry is also a very appealing characteristic for university applications and employers, as it presents the diversity of the individual and how their character may be, potentially, unique to that of a neighbouring candidate. For these reasons, dance really is such an important subject and one that should gain valid recognition as it builds and shapes young lives into a flourishing adulthood. Miss Brenton made every dance lesson so enjoyable but was also superlatively knowledgeable - I never walked away from the dance studio without learning something new and this made me excited for each lesson: dance really was the highlight of my timetable day.

‘For our final assessed piece, we were required to create a solo, the brief being something that ‘meant a lot to us’. I decided to complete a tap dance, as tap has always been my favourite style and I based my dance  upon the idea of ‘chasing dreams’, understanding that no dream is ever too big, and everything is achievable. My dance significantly highlighted my academic dreams: my dreams of attending university and beginning to shape the life I had always dreamed I would have. Now as I sit at my university writing this piece, the dance seems even more sentimental than at the time as I have proved to myself how no matter what you dream, it is possible. 

‘The confidence I gained from studying Dance has truly made me the person I am today and the student I was and who began Year 12 is a complete contrast to the one receiving her results on results day 2023! Miss Brenton helped me to develop my confidence, proving to me that every idea is a valid idea and that there is always space for artistic error as it is always mistakes which help us to teach ourselves and grow.’.