Talented ballroom and Latin dancer Erin B is celebrating an excellent set of GCSE results, as she prepares to step into Bradford Grammar School’s Sixth Form.
Erin, 16, from Broughton, near Skipton, has balanced a demanding competition schedule with her studies and this morning collected an impressive eight grade 9s and two grade 8s from BGS.
Said Erin: “I can’t wipe the smile from my face. All my hard work has paid off. I’m so happy.”
Alongside her academic success, Erin has carved out an impressive reputation in dance. Earlier this year she reached the semi-finals in Latin, placing 8th at the prestigious British National Ballroom and Latin Championships in Blackpool, competing against some of the UK’s top amateur dancers.
She trains several times a week at Kirsty Marshall’s Academy of Dance, in Brighouse, and has a busy calendar of competitions coming up, with five major events before the end of the year, including qualifiers for the nationwide finals in Blackpool next April.
“Juggling GCSEs with training and competitions hasn’t always been easy,” Erin said. “But dancing gives me a valuable outlet and helps clear my mind, which makes me more focused when it comes to schoolwork and revision.”
This September, Erin will begin A Levels in Maths, Economics and Spanish, along with an AS Level in Psychology. Long-term, she is considering careers that combine her interests in languages, analysis and travel, with the possibility of working in international fields.
Dr Simon Hinchliffe, Headmaster at BGS, said: “Erin’s achievements in both her GCSEs and on the dancefloor highlight the breadth of talent among our pupils. We encourage students to pursue their passions alongside their studies, and Erin is a shining example of what can be achieved with commitment and balance.”
“I can’t wipe the smile from my face. All my hard work has paid off. I’m so happy.”