A Brentwood family’s dance school pupils won several medals on behalf of England in an international competition.

Nine dancers from Pixie Lott Performing Arts Academy performed at the Dance World Cup Finals during the week commencing August 16.

The dancers - Lucia Wratten, 10, Scarlett Coles, 12, Frankie-Mae Garner,14, Mary Alcott, 14, Holly McDonagh, 14, Ruby Long, 14, Elise de Boos,15, Lottie Wright,17 and Holly-Marie Davenport,18- competed against 120,000 competitors from 62 countries.

%image(15314960, type="article-full", alt="The proud dancers represented England in the international competition")

In total, they won first place in two dances, two silver medals, one bronze and came fourth in the solo dance show.

Pixie Lott, who runs the academy alongside her sister Charlie-Ann Lott and mother Beverley Lott, said she was very proud of the pupils.

Speaking on the final day of the competition, she said: “It's gone amazingly.

"I'm so proud of the girls, they performed their hearts out.

"They are all buzzing, and had the best time."

%image(15314962, type="article-full", alt="Singer Pixie Lott (l) runs the school with her sister Charlie-Ann Lott (r) and mother Beverley Lott.")

Before the show, mum Beverly said she was "so excited".

She added: “We’ve done competitions before, but this is different because it’s representing England.

“The girls don’t all go to the same school, so it's nice for them to spend the time together.”

%image(15314963, type="article-full", alt="Beverly said the girls had a "wonderful experience"")

During lockdown, the dancers trained on Zoom as they were unable to attend classes in-person.

“They’ve done so well,” Beverly added.

“We weren’t sure about how it would turn out, but the classes worked quite well online.”

The academy credited its “amazing” choreographer and teacher Georgia Hussey for getting the team to the final of the Dance World Cup.

%image(15314965, type="article-full", alt="The dancers were invited to perform in the gala because they won in other categories")

Harold Wood-based Georgia is also training to be a primary school teacher in Romford.

The finals were held at Telford International Centre, and Dance World Cup announced that countries who are struggling to attend in person due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions may enter via video.

The England team stayed in Telford for seven nights, performing several group dances and Holly-Marie Davenport performed a solo.

Pixie Lott Performing Arts Academy in Chelmsford will be holding a summer school at the end of August for aspiring dancers, singers and performers.