AN inspirational dance performance left Winsford children spellbound.

Pupils from the Grange Community Primary School joined six other primary schools to watch an Inspirations Dance performance at the Hammond school in Chester.

The performance showcased students from year 7 to final year BA Performing Arts degree undergraduates, comprising ballet, tap, street dance and musical theatre.

The trip was made possible by the charity, Passion for Learning, a volunteer organisation working with children from more than 30 schools across Cheshire West.

Diane Clark, founder and managing director of Passion for Learning said: "Our mission is to inspire children to develop a lifelong love of learning in order that they can achieve their full potential. We want the children who we work with to develop their own aspirations and ambitions for the future, whatever they may be."

Viv Couche, development manager at Passion for Learning said: "Through our partnerships with businesses and organisations in our community, we are able to provide unique experiences and opportunities to the children we work with. We believe that by helping children to explore and discover the world around them, they can identify their best education and career pathways, increasing the chances of them fulfilling their true potential as adults."

Hammond principal Jennifer Roscoe said: "The Hammond is excited and thrilled to be working in partnership with Passion for Learning to help support the aspirations and dreams of all young people with a love of the arts. We pride ourselves on inclusivity and encouraging everyone to experience the endless benefits that music, dance, and drama can create.’

Passion for Learning recruits and trains volunteers from the community to work with children from local primary schools, both as part of 1:1 sessions during the school day and as part of a network of 10 after school enrichment clubs.

Rachael Driver, enrichment clubs manager, said: "Through our fantastic volunteers and skilled staff, we are able to provide truly unique and inspiring experiences to the children who attend our enrichment clubs.

"From visits to the theatre at the Hammond, to the global logistics warehouse of Regatta and our Careers Palace earlier this year, we are opening the children’s eyes to all the possibilities of the world around them."

Diane Clark added: ‘Even though we are a small charity, we achieve a lot for our children and have the highest of aspirations in everything we do for them. The quality of the performance at the Hammond was awe-inspiring and we know our children were truly spellbound by what they saw.

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"Having the opportunity to chat to the students at the end of the performance was fabulous. We know there will be some indelible memories for our children arising from this experience. Our plans for the year ahead, including the mini Arts Festival for 250 children in July 2020, are truly the most exciting and ambitious ones we have ever had in the history of Passion for Learning."

For more details visit passion-for-learning.com, call 0151 356 8717 or email diane.clark@passion-for-learning.com.