A BOURNEMOUTH dance school has been honoured with an international accolade.

First Position School of Dance was recognised at the Dance School of the Year awards with the Royal Academy of Dance Project B prize for innovation in male dance.

Principal Natalie Pearl holds specialist boys only dance classes in ballet, modern dance, strength and conditioning, jazz technique and flexibility.

Developing over the past four years, the group of just under 50 boys attended First Position several nights a week, with performances across the country including at Her Majesty’s Theatre, the O2 Arena in London and F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone.

They have also shown off their talents internationally at Disneyland Paris and Broadway, New York.

Ms Pearl said: "I am so overwhelmed to have been recognised for my work in teaching and inspiring boys to dance, it’s a joy and a privilege to work with these amazing little men, as it is with all the dancers at my school.

"I aim to always provide them with the best life experiences, the highest quality of training and feel proud of their dance.

"Anyone who has seen them perform in the local area will know they completely kick to the curb any out-dated stereotypes of boys dancing. They are simply amazing and could not be prouder."

Ms Pearl also runs Royal Academy of Dance and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing classes for girls and boys from her base in Winton.

Now in its eighth year, Dance School of the Year was founded by Anne Walker MBE to celebrate the achievements of dance schools who so often do not receive recognition.

From the thousands of dance schools eligible to enter, with entries were received from schools of all sizes across the UK and Europe, as well as Canada, USA, Bahrain, Brunei and Australia, 39 schools were shortlisted across different categories.

The judging panel included businesswoman Wendy Manfield, businessman and former International Dance Supplies CEO Kamlesh Raichura; choreographer, dancer and teacher Graeme Henderson and director, choreographer, dance teacher and former theatre school owner Alli Coyne.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic ,this year the award ceremony was streamed virtually instead of the usual red carpet gala evening.