Strictly’s Nadiya Bychkova visits St Anne Line School

Last month, Strictly star and Primary Steps on Demand Ambassador Nadiya Bychkova visited St Anne Line School in Basildon, giving the pupils a thrilling surprise. 

For the past six months, KS2 and KS3 classes at St Anne Line have been introduced to dance and the arts through the School’s Primary Steps on Demand programme. 

During the memorable visit, the budding dancers showcased their dance skills to Nadiya, who even joined in as they perfected their relevés and pliés. Nadiya kindly signed autographs and answered the students’ questions while sharing some of her knowledge and experience to inspire them in their journey. 

Led by their dedicated teacher, Mrs Reid, students of St Anne Line have developed a love for the arts while experiencing benefits to their physical and mental wellbeing, including improved self-esteem, confidence and energy. 

Despite having no dance or dance teaching background, Mrs Reid has embraced the programme in her classroom. She shared her experience teaching the programme with Nadiya: 

Our children are complete novices; they’ve never really done dance before. The fact that they are beginners, and this particular programme caters for them, but not only does it do that, it also helps to develop them further; it gives them so much self-esteem and confidence. 

It’s absolutely wonderful watching them suddenly become in their own world, engrossed in the movement. Suddenly feeling that energy running through the dance studio and seeing the children challenging themselves but just getting lost in that wonderful world of dance is an absolute pleasure to be able to teach. 

Without the programme, I wouldn’t have been able to give them that opportunity, so it’s just marvellous for our school.

Watch the recap from the inspiring visit to St Anne Line School with Nadiya Bychkova.