Matraver's School is celebrating the success of an award winning dance teacher.

Head of dance at the school, Gemma Richards was presented with the Outstanding Secondary Dance Teaching Award at the One Dance UK Awards Ceremony on Sunday.

This award recognises Miss Richards' teaching practice as well as her passion and dedication to the subject and her students.

Miss Richards said: "I am so honoured and proud to even have been nominated for this award. It is amazing to think that students, parents, and colleagues thought enough to nominate me.

"Winning this award means so much to me because Dance has taken such a knock in secondary education recently, yet this proves that Dance at Matravers is as strong as ever."

Awards were given across 9 categories, and Deputy Headteacher Paul Clark was also nominated for Most Senior Leader or Governor.

Claire Somerville, Head of Children & Young People’s Dance at One Dance UK said: "The Awards have provided a wonderful opportunity for people to express their gratitude for the dance teachers, leaders and organisations that dedicate their time, energy and expertise into furthering opportunities for young people."

Dance continues to flourish at Matravers with highly successful and popular GCSE and A level dance courses, dance provision throughout key stages and a range of enrichment activities for students across the school.

The work produced by the students within the dance department is of a very high standard, and Miss Richards' teaching and leadership of the subject has been recognised as a significant contributer to their success.