A PEEBLES dance school has moved a step closer to a national accolade.

This week, The Fiona Henderson School of Dance (FHSD) was announced as a finalist in the National 2018 Dance School of the Year awards.

Now in its sixth year, the annual ceremony was founded by Anne Walker to celebrate the achievements of groups that do not always receive the recognition they deserve.

And it has been revealed that FHSD is shortlisted in the ‘over 200 students’ category.

The school’s founder and principal Fiona Henderson told us: “I am thrilled and delighted that FHSD is nominated for this award. Just to be shortlisted is a great achievement for the school and a tribute to the hard work our pupils and teachers have put in throughout the year in their lessons, shows, examinations and competitions.

“It has been a tremendous year for our school with more and more pupils joining us, the opening of our four new Peebles dance studios and fantastic examination results over this academic year.”

Judges this year are Brenda Last and Terry Etheridge, both of whom have had illustrious careers in the dance industry as dancers, teachers and choreographers.

They will join the dance teachers and their staff as well as long-term supporter of the awards – Angela Rippon – when the winners are announced at the Woodbury Park Hotel in Devon later this month. Founder Anne Walker said: “Dance teachers should be applauded and celebrated.

“They are so much more than just a teacher – they are almost a substitute parent to many of their students as they are role models, mentors and social workers, offering support, stability and a disciplined approach to life.

“They instil a love of dance, music and theatre which will hopefully turn many students into tomorrow’s theatre-goers if not performers or teachers.

“Fellow dance teachers have supported me over many years and now I hope, through these awards, we can all celebrate the life-long passion for dance and the achievements of dance teachers everywhere.”