The annual event, themed ‘Walking in the shoes of…’, saw 25 Year 4-6 students represent us at Victoria Hall on Tuesday 24 March 2026. Pupils had been rehearsing since Christmas in preparation for the performance.

The dance was created to reflect Grove’s recent connection to the wider Co-op family, with pupils choosing to base their performance around the Rochdale Pioneers and the values they stood for. Choreography and rehearsals were led by Miss Thea Mounteney, one of the academy’s Year 6 Teaching School Assistants.

At the start of the performance, pupils introduced their piece by explaining the inspiration behind it. They described how their dance celebrated the strength, bravery and enthusiasm of the workers who came together to build something fair and lasting, drawing a link between teamwork in dance and the co-operation shown by the Rochdale Pioneers.

Set to a soundtrack including It’s a Hard Knock Life, I’m a Believer and We Are Family, the performance showcased the pupils’ energy, teamwork and creativity on stage.

The academy was also able to work with Deborah Zaher to secure funding from a local Co-op store, helping to provide outfits and props for the performance!

After the event, Amy Brown shared that the academy had enjoyed “a fantastic evening” at the dance performance.