Meet the nine new 'Elite' dancers who have won a place on Hartlepool school's scholarship programme

Dyke House Academy's Principal Adam Palmer with the new intake of Elite Dancers

The successful applicants will receive strength and conditioning sessions to boost their development even further after being selected for the Hartlepool secondary school’s Elite Dance scheme after following assessments.

Five have earned places on the top tier of the scheme, including 12-year-old Lola Pounder having become a European champion in cheerleading.

The Year 7 student, who represents Hartlepool Hawks, has travelled to Croatia, Netherlands and Germany, and is now set to compete in the USA at the World Championships.

Lola said: “It’s so nice to have been named on the Elite Dance at Dyke House. It makes me feel I am succeeding in what I have done.”

All members of the Dyke House Elite squad are given special ties to wear.

Dancers will represent Dyke House in championships and will train to perform at an awards ceremony.

Also joining Lola on the top tier are Year 7 students Lexie Allen and Olivia Todd.

Lexie has performed to a high level and reached the finals in championships for the Val Armstrong School of Performing Arts.

And Olivia has won solos at nationals for Maloney’s Stage School in Billingham.

Sienna Williams, of Year 9, and Jessica Dodd, in Year 10, have cheerdance places on the Elite having been team-mates with Lola in the successful national and European championship Hawks’ teams.

Lisa Wilson, coordinator of Dyke House’s Elite Dance, said: “It is about our dancers achieving consistency, and attending regular strength and conditioning sessions, in the classroom, in the dance studio and on stage.

“I would love for other students to aspire to be on the scheme and prove over the next nine months that they deserve to join this latest batch of dancers.”

Students who have been named on the second tier of the Elite Dance are Year 7’s Millie Rowbotham (Watson’s Academy of Dance), Alicia Ashby (Val Armstrong) and Emilie Noble (Val Armstrong) and Year 8 dancer Poppy Watson-Hamilton (Seaton Academy of Dance).

To apply to be on Dyke House’s Elite Dance email [email protected] or pick up a form from the Academy’s front desk.