TEACHERS, parents and pupils rallied together to make sure dance examinations could be completed before the second national lockdown came into effect in November.

The UK's second lockdown was announced on the final day of October, with examinations, due to take place a fortnight later, plunged into jeopardy.

Joanna Willey, principal of Fusion Arts Academy, hastily sent an evening message to all parents with children involved, asking if they could meet the following morning.

She said: "Most of the children were in bed and had no clue about our plans to hastily rearrange the dates.

"To my delight, all parents and pupils rallied together to get their children to Wootton in order to film their dance examinations.

"It gives me great pleasure to inform the County Press that all pupils passed their Jazz and Tap Examinations with extremely high marks."

Standout results from included an Honours with Distinction gained by Felicity Day.

The examination board, the Australian Teachers of Dancing International, was extremely supportive and thrilled to be able to post certificates and medals back to pupils on the Isle of Wight.

Fusion Arts Academy is based at Ryde Academy and will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.