A KEIGHLEY performing arts school is celebrating a string of successes.

Despite most classes being staged via Zoom during the pandemic, students of Sara Packham Theatre School have excelled.

"We managed to keep going through lockdown and with notable successes," said a delighted Sara.

"Students have taken part in Royal Academy of Dance ballet exams with fabulous results and in auditions with great success."

Fraser Campbell-McDonald has gained a coveted place at Hammond School for performing arts, for full-time training from this month.

Maisie and Nicole Loftus have been accepted as scholars by Renaissance Arts Leeds.

Phoebe Barwick, Evie Bousfield and Isla Kinnear were awarded places on the Moorland Ballet Academy associate course.

Several students have also gained representation with the casting agency, Scream.

Lucy Miller has won a place in Bradford pantomime Aladdin, following her first-ever audition.

Gabriella Baglio achieved a scholarship to the Yorkshire Ballet Summer School and Eleanor Fikkert earned a place at Elmhurst Ballet School's summer school.

Megan Bown, who has been with Sara Packham Theatre School since she was five, has won a place at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and begins her training this month.

The school has also welcomed alumni Hollie Smith and Sophie Talbot – who gave masterclasses during the summer holidays – and Martin Dutton, head of boys at Hammond School, who led a workshop. Hollie recently featured in London Fashion Week.

Simon Kidd, from Moorland Ballet Academy, taught senior students ballet and choreography during a day of dance.

And Charlotte Tonkinson, from the Royal Ballet, has led two masterclasses.

Sara said activities had also included charity fundraising. "We have raised various monies for several charities – most recently £100 for the KEYS community detox programme which hopefully is coming to Keighley in the near future," she said.

The school's new term begins on Saturday (September 11) and there are several additional classes.