Arreton St George’s C.E. Primary School’s interpretation of a young couple’s love story that ends with the need for specialist care from Mountbatten Isle of Wight has won the hard-fought Isle Dance 2025 competition.

Inspired by the care given by the Isle of Wight hospice charity to members of the school’s community, the amazing performance involved over twenty children and prompted the competition’s judges to call it ‘beautiful and moving’. Audience members at Medina Theatre were brought to tears on Monday, 10 February.

Arreton Primary was among eight schools taking part in Isle Dance 2025, where performances covered everything from the brutal impact of war to more rights for match girls, and from overcoming the pressure of social media to saving the rainforest. Performances were creative and innovative and proved to be a visual feast for the hundreds of audience members and scores of young dancers.

The glitzy show also featured performances by dancers from Ryde’s MLD Studio, which hosts and organises the annual competition. Their performance was captured by official photographer, Robert Longford.

MLD Studio's  Michelle Rickets said: “We always hoped Isle Dance would unite children and the school communities with a feeling of belonging and pride in something created altogether.

"The fifth year of Isle Dance welcomed eight primary schools and the feeling of togetherness was more evident than ever.

"Every school puts so much effort in. The children have smiles on their faces, from the minute they enter the theatre to the minute they leave. All schools supported each other and the energy was electric.”

Arreton Primary’s judges' choice winning performance included a rainbow parachute, huge sunflowers and children in nurses’ uniforms signing in Makaton. Audience members supporting the school wore sunflower headbands and yellow clothing.  

The school said: “Many of us at Arreton Primary have been affected by illness and we are forever grateful for the amazing support provided by Mountbatten Isle of Wight.”

MLD Studios' Michelle said: “We are so thrilled for Arreton - a school and community which is always so positive, really stick together and demonstrates what we hoped Isle Dance to stand for. Performing a piece so thought out and a concept close to so many! Congratulations.”

Arreton St George’s C.E. Primary School’s Kirsty Heywood and Kayleigh Monk, who coordinated the Isle Dance entry with the children, said “We are so proud of everyone who helped make Isle Dance 2025 a winning success for Arreton C of E.

A massive thank you to Mountbatten IOW for trusting us to tell our story through dance and drama. The children all showed our school values of Love, Hope and Courage. We couldn’t have done any of this without the support of our amazing families and staff who volunteered their time to help.“

Mountbatten CEO, Nigel Hartley, MBE, said: “Arreton Primary’s marvellous performance was a wonderful opportunity to spread the word about Mountbatten and its role at the heart of our community, providing hospice care, bereavement support and rehabilitation.

"Well done to the school and the young performers for winning Isle Dance. We warmly invite them to join us at Mountbatten Isle of Wight in Newport, to recreate their dance for our patients, staff and volunteers. I know they will be as moved and impressed as we were.”

The school has been invited to recreate their performance at Mountbatten Isle of Wight.