More than 6,000 students from 120 schools in Key Stage 2 through to post 16 education will take to the stage in rounds of heats taking place in Portsmouth, High Wycombe and Hastings, before a grand final takes place back at the Guildhall in April.
Dance Live! produced by the charitable The Guildhall Trust, empowers children and young people by providing them with the platform and support structures to create BIG production moments, whilst developing creative and technical skills.
Embracing an ever-evolving digital world and how this is changing the face of modern performance, choreographed routines are performed to the backdrop of a giant LED screen, showcasing a range of skills from dance and performance to technical stage skills, video production and design.
The day of the heats itself is an exciting experience for young people, with warm up dances and rehearsals before they take to the stage to perform in front of friends and family with a range of awards up for grabs, all judged by a panel of experienced professionals from the world of dance.
Dance Live! Senior Producer, Cherry Lambert said, “Dance Live 2026! so far has been incredible! The creativity and standard of performance just keep getting better year on year, and we are always amazed at the range of themes and ideas explored. But above all, Dance Live! is so inclusive with something for everyone to get involved with and it is wonderful to see young people bonding and growing in confidence before our eyes! They should all be so proud!
For more information head to: www.dancelive.co.uk
Round one
- 1st Place: Crookhorn College
- 2nd Place: The Hamble School
- 3rd Place: Solent Academy Trust
- Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Warden Park Academy
- Video Journey Award: Testwood School
- Technical Award: The Hamble School
- People’s Choice Award: Solent Academy Trust
Round two
- 1st Place: Park Community School
- 2nd Place: HSDC
- 3rd Place: The Angmering School
- Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Crestwood Community School
- Video Journey Award: Oasis Academy Mayfield
- Technical Award: Park Community School
- People’s Choice Award: HSDC
Round three
- 1st Place: Swanmore College
- 2nd Place: Mayfield School Seniors
- 3rd Place: The Cowplain School
- Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Eggars School
- Video Journey Award: Lift Winton
- Technical Award: The Cowplain School
- People’s Choice Award: Peter Symonds College
Round four
- 1st Place: Wellstead Primary School
- 2nd Place: Brockhurst Primary School
- 3rd Place: St Johns CofE Primary School
- Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Goldsworth Primary School
- Video Journey Award: Colden Common Primary School
- Technical Award: Brockhurst Primary School
- People’s Choice Award: Copnor Primary School
Round five
- 1st Place: Knightwood Primary School
- 2nd Place: Lanesend Primary School
- 3rd Place: Wimborne Primary School
- Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Grateley Primary School
- Video Journey Award: Harefield Primary School
- Technical Award: Wimborne Primary School
- People’s Choice Award: Medina House School
Round six
- 1st Place: Portsmouth Grammar School
- 2nd Place: The Academy Selsey – The Bridge
- 3rd Place: St Anne's Catholic School
- Dance Live! Fellowship: St George Catholic College
- Video Journey Award: Itchen Sixth Form College
- Technical Award: The Academy Selsey – The Bridge
- People’s Choice Award: Itchen Sixth Form College
Round seven
- 1st Place: Purbrook Park School
- 2nd Place: Wildern School
- 3rd Place: Bitterne Park School
- Dance Live! Fellowship Award:
- Video Journey Award: Yateley School
- Technical Award: Bitterne Park School
- People’s Choice Award: Purbrook Park School
Round eight
- 1st Place: Baycroft School
- 2nd Place: Durrington High School
- 3rd Place: Admiral Lord Nelson School
- Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Bridgemary School
- Video Journey Award: George Abbot School
- Technical Award: Admiral Lord Nelson School
- People’s Choice Award: Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee
Round nine
- 1st Place: Wicor Primary School
- 2nd Place: Orchards Junior School
- 3rd Place: St Marks CofE Primary School
- Dance Live! Fellowship Award: St Marks CofE Primary School
- Video Journey Award: Pembridge Hall School
- Technical Award: Wicor Primary School
- People’s Choice Award: St Jude's CE Primary School
Round ten
- Friday 6th February
- 1st Place: Highfield CE Primary School
- 2nd Place: Kings Academy Rowner
- 3rd Place: Mayville High School Juniors
- Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Stamstaw Junior School
- Video Journey Award: Highfield CE Primary School
- Technical Award: Kings Academy Rowner
Round eleven
- 1st Place: Redbridge Community School
- 2nd Place: The Bay CE Secondary
- 3rd Place: Priory School
- Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Oakmoor School
- Video Journey Award: The Petersfield School
- Technical Award: Ryde Academy
- People’s Choice Award: The Petersfield School
Round twelve
- 1st Place: Saint Edmunds Catholic School
- 2nd Place: Barton Pevril Sixth Form College
- 3rd Place: Harrow Way Community School
- Dance Live! Fellowship Award: Fareham Academy
- Video Journey Award: Harrow Way Community School
- Technical Award: Oasis Academy Lord's Hill
- People’s Choice Award: Oasis Academy Lord's Hill
1. Dance Live!
Dance Live! 2026 heats at Portsmouth Guildhall - Admiral Lord Nelson School (Picture: Vernon Nash) | Vernon Nash
2. Dance Live!
Dance Live! 2026 heats at Portsmouth Guildhall - Barton Pevril Sixth Form College (Picture: Vernon Nash) | Vernon Nash
3. Dance Live!
Dance Live! 2026 heats at Portsmouth Guildhall - The Bay CE Secondary (Picture: Vernon Nash) | Vernon Nash
4. Dance Live!
Dance Live! 2026 heats at Portsmouth Guildhall - Baycroft School (Picture: Vernon Nash) | Vernon Nash