Elm Academy performing in the J Rock regional finals, held in Southampton.
Bournemouth school children shone brightly in the junior version of Rock Challenge, winning the Spirit award.
Competing against primary schools from across Hampshire, Elm Academy was the only Dorset school to pit its entertainment wits in the regional ‘J Rock’ competition.
And with their version of Beauty and the Beast, the talented Elm children were judged by all the participating schools to have shown the true Spirit of Rock Challenge.
Principal, Jo Fish, said: “This is only the second year we have entered a team into Junior Rock Challenge and so we are thrilled to have won the Spirit of Rock Challenge – especially as that’s the category voted on by all the other schools.
“Our children were outstanding as they performed to hundreds of people and on the big stage.”
Dozens of schools competed in this round of J Rock, which was held at the O2 in Southampton.
Elm’s dance routine was based on Beauty and the Beast with a theme showing how beauty comes from within and that kindness always overcomes evil.
In addition to scooping the sought-after Spirit of Rock Challenge, Elm also won excellence awards in a further eight categories, including choreography, dance, concept and performance.
Elm Academy, now part of Ambitions Academies Trust, was also placed higher than its debut entry last year.
More than 30 children were part of the performance with another five helping out as stage crew.
The youngsters also received advice and guidance from its senior sister schools Oak Academy and LeAF Studio – previous winners in both the Bournemouth and Southern Premier League Rock Challenge finals.
Executive Principal, Paul Holman, said: “All the staff and students involved in this production demonstrated such high aspiration, which led to the very high achievement of winning the Spirit of Rock Challenge.
“They have done incredibly well, especially considering this is only the second time they have entered the competition.
“We are incredibly proud of all of them.”
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