We are delighted to shine our Student Spotlight on Year 5 student, Gabriella, and her incredible achievements in dance and musical theatre!

Gabriella has been part of Top Hat Theatre School since the age of three, when she first began classes in tap, ballet and modern dance. By the age of four, she had discovered her love for musical theatre and joined additional classes to develop her performance skills. Since then, her passion has only continued to grow.

Now training most days of the week, Gabriella demonstrates remarkable commitment as she takes part in a wide range of disciplines, including tap, ballet, modern, contemporary, street dance, singing, drama and musical theatre. She is also a proud member of the Top Hat festival team, regularly competing in both dance and drama festivals throughout the year.

Gabriella’s hard work and talent have led to some incredible opportunities. This May, she will be competing in the All England Regional Finals, having successfully qualified with three solo dances and three group performances, an outstanding achievement. In July, she will travel to Dublin to represent Team England at the Dance World Cup for the third consecutive year. Last year, Gabriella and her team were crowned world champions in Spain in the Mini Modern Large Group category, a truly remarkable accomplishment.

Alongside her competitive success, Gabriella has also gained valuable experience on stage. She has performed in several productions with Top Hat Theatre School, including Peter Pan, Fame Jr., and The Sound of Music. She also successfully auditioned last year as a junior dancer for the pantomime at the Castle Theatre in Wellingborough.

More recently, Gabriella secured a role as a junior dancer in Shrek the Musical, produced by the Castle Community Theatre Company. After rehearsing over the Easter holidays, she performed in the show from 16th to 19th April, showcasing her versatility and confidence as a performer.

We are incredibly proud of all she has achieved and look forward to seeing what she accomplishes next. Well done, Gabriella!

We are proud to congratulate Alex Taylor from Year 10, who has been selected for the World Scout Jamboree 2027.

The Jamboree runs from the Opening Ceremony on 30 July 2027 to the Closing Ceremony on 8 August 2027 and is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young people from around the world. Participants take part in outdoor adventures, educational workshops, community service, and cultural exchanges that promote leadership, teamwork, and global understanding.

A highlight of the Jamboree is the chance to connect with scouts from different countries, sharing cultures, traditions, food, and music while learning about global issues such as sustainability, peace, and youth empowerment.

Attendance at the World Scout Jamboree requires dedication, including fundraising of £3,200 to help cover costs. Alex has shown outstanding commitment in preparing for this opportunity and already has 2 events lined up, including a Board Game and Pudding Night in May! 

He also has a GoFundMe page set up for any further donations to support to this project: https://www.gofundme.com/f/3xfyu-world-scout-jamboree-2027

We wish Alex an unforgettable experience and look forward to hearing all about his global adventure! 

Well done, Alex!

Year 3 Austin has enjoyed a standout football season and fully deserves his place in our student spotlight thanks to his commitment, versatility, and impressive achievements across multiple sports.

Currently playing in goal for Wootton St George U8s, Austin has been part of the team for the past two years and has developed into a reliable and confident presence between the posts. Goalkeeping is clearly in his blood — he follows in the footsteps of his brother and sister, both CCS Primary alumni, who also represent their teams and schools as goalkeepers.

This season, Austin’s impact on the pitch has been significant. He has recorded multiple clean sheets, demonstrating strong shot‑stopping, positioning, and composure well beyond his years. One of the highlights of the season came when Austin scored directly from his own goal area with a goal kick — a rare and remarkable achievement at any level — helping his team secure an important win.

Austin’s performances have not gone unnoticed. He has been approached by both Leicester City and Northampton Town (Cobblers) to take part in academy training programmes, recognising his potential, athleticism, and game awareness. Austin has chosen to train with his local club, Northampton Town, where he now trains weekly and is looking forward to taking part in competitive fixtures over Easter and into next season.

Away from football, Austin is a true all‑round sportsman. He plays tennis with weekly professional coaching and regularly competes in tournaments across the country and surrounding areas, gaining valuable experience in high‑pressure individual competition. In addition, he enjoys a range of team sports including basketball and rugby, further developing his teamwork, coordination, and competitive mindset.

Austin’s dedication, enthusiasm, and willingness to challenge himself across different sports set him apart. Whether representing his football team, competing on the tennis court, or trying new challenges, he consistently shows determination, sportsmanship, and a love of competition.

Well done, Austin — a fantastic season so far, and an exciting journey ahead!

We are delighted to share the success of Year 6 student Aaryan, recognising his outstanding achievements and dedication to chess.

Aaryan first discovered his passion for chess at the age of five during the lockdown. What began as a simple interest quickly developed into a remarkable journey of growth, perseverance, and success. Since then, he has consistently honed his skills, competing in numerous tournaments and demonstrating exceptional talent against strong opponents.

Over the years, Aaryan has built an impressive list of accomplishments, including:

• Stowe School Championship (Under-8) – Winner
• Northamptonshire County Championship (Under-9) – Winner
• 47th Maidenhead Junior Congress (Under-9) – 2nd Place
• NSC Autumn Congress (Under-10) – Winner
• NSC County Championships (Under-9) – Winner
• NSC Autumn Congress – Winner
• NSC Spring Congress 2024 – Winner
• Stowe School Championship (Under-11) – 2nd Place
• 19th West London Chess Championship – 3rd Place
• 24th West London Chess Tournament – 3rd Place
• 13th Junior Championship (Dessert Penguins) – 2nd Place
• Northampton Standard Tournament (Under 1600 Rating) – 3rd Place (September 2025)
• Nottingham Rapidplay Minor (Under 1500 Rating) – Best Rated Player
• EPSCA Chess (representing Northampton in Manchester) – Won all rounds
• Shropshire County Tournament – 3rd Place
• Warwickshire Junior Rated Tournament – 2nd Place
• 18th Dessert Penguins Chess Tournament – 4th Place

In addition to these achievements, Aaryan has taken part in many other rated tournaments, frequently qualifying for advanced rounds and competing against highly rated players. His commitment, strategic thinking, and love for the game continue to set him apart.

Most recently, Aaryan competed in the 18th Dessert Penguins Chess Tournament, where he secured an impressive 4th place finish—yet another testament to his consistency and determination.

We are incredibly proud of Aaryan’s achievements and look forward to seeing how his chess journey continues to unfold. He is a true inspiration to his peers and a wonderful example of what dedication and passion can achieve.