Dancing into 2022
On Friday 29 October 2021, Francesca Grando, Principal of Hastings School of Contemporary Dance (HSCD), was invited to attend the Dance School of the Year Awards after being shortlisted for several awards.
She was understandably delighted for herself, her team and all her dancers when it was announced that the school was not only a finalist for Dance School of the Year but had also won the British Theatre Dance Association (BDTA) Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Wellbeing Through Dance. “This award in particular means so much to us all,” she says. “The importance of mental wellbeing is always at the forefront of everything we do.”
Francesca Grando, Principal of HSCD
CREDIT: Dave Young
The award was up against dance schools of all sizes (both smaller and larger than HSCD) and saw entries from dance schools across the world. “Hastings School of Contemporary Dance are now officially an International award-winning dance school!” she says. “Given the current climate, we are unbelievable proud to be winners of such an important award and we will continue to ensure our classes contribute to student wellbeing.”
She points out that dance and physical activity plays a huge part in the mental wellbeing of the younger generation. “We hope that students can come to HSCD feeling safe and happy,” she says, adding that she would like to give a “huge thank you” to all of the students who continue to work hard while in class.
And why now, three months after the award? “November/December is the busiest time in our dance school, so to be honest, I just didn’t get around to telling the press!”
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