Five teams of staff dancers went head-to-head for the title of WHS Strictly Champions 2026 on Thursday night.
After an introductory dance number by the WHS Dance Club to warm up the 100 strong audience, first competitors out on the dance floor were Cooper and Terry, celebrating the music and traditions of the Emerald Isle with a spirited Irish jig.
Dressed in green, they won praise from the judges for their energy, commitment and use of the floor. It was particularly impressive to learn that Mrs Terry was completely new to Irish dancing until she started rehearsing for the competition.
Next came Sawdon and Dawson – a real-life duty team partnership – who extended their skills to the world of Bollywood and showed us their Bhangra moves. Immaculate timing, brilliant teamwork and precise hand movements were singled out by the judges as areas of strength.
Our only solo performer of the evening, Mx Rivers offered an intense, moody interpretation of Lady Gaga’s Shallow. Dressed in minimal black, their grace and fluidity enraptured the audience and the judges. The power and skill of the performance left us all breathless and earned Rivers a place in the dance off.
In a complete shift of mood and pace, crowd favourites, Inglesfield and Connolly spun into a lightning Charleston – Coco Bongo from The Mask. In full yellow zoot suit and hat, Connolly showed us his moves including a cartwheel, lifts, jumps and spins. Inglesfield matched him step for step with her trademark energy and between them, they took the roof off. Scoring a perfect score of 30, they won the second place in the dance off.
The show wasn’t over by any means. The final pair were Mellor and Scullion dancing their hearts out to Footloose. Ending the competition on a high note they were commended on their partnership, zest and joyous sense of fun.
After the interval, guest judge Sophie McPherson – ex-student and professional singer – performed the Streisand classic ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’ before the dance off.
The judges’ decision was unanimous: a flawless and joyous repeat of Coco Bongo saw dynamic duo Connolly and Inglesfield walk away with the coveted WHS Strictly trophy. Awarded by 2017 Strictly WHS winners, Sarah Ridley and Lizzie McGaffin, the next Strictly WHS is scheduled for 2035.
Special thanks go to our judges, Sophie McPherson, dance diva Louise Lewis and headteacher Kath Pigdon – who used OFSTED criteria to inform her judicial decisions. Thanks also to Callum Turner for his technical expertise; Annabel Gregory, James McLean and Kayden Hill for the video inserts; Tracey Hill and Friends of William Howard for ticket sales and refreshments and Sarah Ledger for hosting the evening and adding up all the scores wrongly. A very special thanks must go to Rikki Inglesfield for organising, producing and coordinating the evening as well as starring in the show.
