A PERFORMING arts school is celebrating after success at a festival.

The Santoy Academy, in Felmores, Basildon, has had a huge success at the Blain Merrison Performing Arts Festival.

Performers aged between two and 18-years-old walked away with 76 first places, 50 second places and 31 third places.

Other students gained awards and individual trophies for musicality - Pacha Busby, most promising - Emma Dennis, highest mark for Acro, their own arrangement, street, song and dance, quartet.

There were also awards for group and the overall school award. Vice-principal Mallissa Dennis said she was happy with all the students’ performances and congratulated them.

She said: “The children have been working so hard and this has shown how much it has paid off.

“All of the students supported each other and performers from other schools. It was a lovely festival.”

Santoy take students from 18 months upwards and have a variety of classes available throughout the week in their branches in Basildon and Hadleigh.

For more information about the school and classes, visit the Santoy Dance on Facebook.