DANCERS in Basingstoke are celebrating after being crowned winner at the recent Dance School of the Year Awards.

Basingstoke Academy of Dancing were announced as the overall category trophy winners at the awards.

Now in its seventh year, the Dance School of the Year Awards was founded by Anne Walker MBE to celebrate the achievements of dance schools who so often do not receive the recognition they deserve.

Dance teachers provide so much more than just a dance lesson, offering support and discipline and teaching young people how to work as part of a group that relies on each other.

At the awards night, which was held on October 25, the Basingstoke school was recognised in the schools with 300 plus students as the best overall school.

Principal at the Basingstoke Academy of Dancing, Tanya Schipelbaum, said: “We were very surprised and excited by the announcement.

“We are very proud and thank everyone involved in our Team in getting us to this position.”

Schools were judged on their professionalism and business acumen as well as the personal development of all the staff.

Judges were dance teacher, examiner and tutor Sarah Dickinson ARAD and businesswoman and entrepreneur Sarah Cressell.

They were joined by140 dance teachers and their supporters at a glamorous black-tie event at Woodbury Park Hotel in the beautiful Devon countryside where the awards and trophies were presented.

Basingstoke Academy provides an educational, nurturing environment; developing confidence, whilst meeting the demands of attaining excellent standards in performance.

To find out more about the academy visit basingstokeacademy.co.uk.