Secondary Students Take to the West End Following Competition Win

Equity took a group of Key Stage 4 students from Blacon High School in Chester to London this week, after the school won our recent competition, securing 10 free trip places.

During the one-night trip, students took part in two professional workshops at Pineapple Dance Studios – a venue used by leading performers and choreographers – before attending a West End performance of Mamma Mia.

For many in the group, this marked their first visit to London, and a unique opportunity to engage directly with the performing arts industry beyond the classroom. Across the day, students experienced the fast pace and expectations of professional rehearsal environments, working with industry practitioners and developing their technical and performance skills in a new setting.

Alongside the trip's structured, curricular-focused elements, students also had the chance to explore the city, with even small moments – from navigating central London to stepping into flagship retail stores such as Charlotte Tilbury – contributing to a broader sense of independence and discovery.

Amy Serednicki, our Marketing Executive, who accompanied the group on the trip, said: “The level of talent, focus, and commitment shown by the students during the dance workshops was really impressive. I could sense the girls’ anticipation for the evening performance, and seeing their excitement – not just for Mamma Mia, but for the whole experience of being in London – made it really rewarding to be part of.”

The competition built on recent conversations around access to learning outside the classroom, particularly following findings from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, which highlighted regional differences in participation in school travel.

We’re delighted to have awarded this trip to Blacon High School, and hope the experience leaves a lasting impression on the students as they continue their studies and explore future opportunities in the performing arts.