Plympton Academy dances into the spotlight with Fusion Platform event

Plympton Academy, part of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, recently hosted its annual Fusion Platform event, a celebration of dance that brings together young people from across the community.

This year's event was a tremendous success, offering students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in dance, exercise, bond with peers and learn about a career in performance.

Students in Years 7 to 13 participated in a series of dynamic workshops conducted by distinguished dance groups such as Collide Company, KBSK, and Groovement Project throughout the day.

These sessions covered a wide array of styles, including street, hip-hop, musical theatre, jazz, Chicago footwork, and commercial dance. By participating in these workshops, students gained valuable insights into the diverse world of dance.

The highlight of the Fusion Platform was the evening showcase, where families and friends came to watch captivating performances by Groovement, Linda Mortimore and Charlotte Smith School of Dance, Old Priory Primary, and Yealmpstone Farm Primary.

The primary school performances were particularly special, as they were created in collaboration with Plympton Academy Sixth Form Dance students Libby, Izzy, Phoebe, and Mia, who have been mentoring younger dancers. This mentoring aspect of the event showed Plympton Academy students' commitment to nurturing the next generation of dancers.

Phoebe Hall, a Plympton Sixth Form student, shared her enthusiasm: "I loved the platform as it gave me the opportunity to show my family what I have been working on throughout this school year.

“I also was very appreciative that I was given the task of teaching the primary school children a dance to showcase in the platform as it showed me what it's like to be a teacher and have that responsibility."

The showcase also included a diverse range of performances from Plympton Academy students, featuring class work, extracurricular projects, original choreography, and solo pieces.

The Fusion Platform's inclusive nature allowed dancers of all abilities to come together and express themselves through the universal language of dance.

Steph Jenner, Head of Dance at Plympton Academy, highlighted her pride in the event: "It is so rewarding to see so many of our young people across the community come together through dance and celebrate the arts.

“We are so proud of them all. Thank you to all the parents and carers who invest in and support this event; it means so much."