Holly Anderson drama students celebrate major success at Don Valley Festival

Students from Holly Anderson Speech and Drama School in Edenthorpe celebrated outstanding success at the Don Valley Festival, taking home a total of 10 trophies for overall wins.

Twenty students from the school took part in the festival, achieving impressive results across a wide range of categories.

Among the highlights, Georgia Werrett (10) received a trophy for storytelling, while Elsie Kay (10) was awarded a trophy for poetry and another for writing her own story.

The pair also won the Duologue (10–12) category, securing the prestigious Centenary Cup.

Success continued in the older age groups, with Phoebe Callaghan and Grace Wilkinson-Leigh winning the Duologue (13–15) class with a powerful performance focused on drink driving awareness.

Alfiee Tuby won the Humorous Verse category, Sophie Johnson took first place in Prose, and Isabelle Burrows was named overall winner for Dramatic Acting in the 10–12 section.

The school achieved a clean sweep in the 10–12 category, with Isabelle Burrows placing first, Georgia Werrett second, and Alfiee Tuby third.

Jiya, a student of Miss Holly since the school opened in 2022, won the Comedic Acting section with a humorous piece about rebelling at school.

Phoebe Callaghan also secured the overall News Presentation award and has won a tour of BBC Radio Sheffield.Younger students also enjoyed great success.

Amber Riley and Denny Spink placed first and second respectively in Acting, Isla McBride won Comedic Acting, Elizabeth Cantrill first place in Poetry, and Charlotte Audsley won the Humorous Poem category, as well as receiving an overall trophy. Annie Carnegie was praised by the adjudicator as “magical” and achieved joint second place alongside Denny Spink in the 8–9 poetry section.

Not all achievements were measured in trophies. Elise Pennant delivered a confident performance of a Shakespeare piece alongside a sonnet, demonstrating strong understanding and maturity in tackling classical text, and representing the school with professionalism.

She received 2nd and 3rd prize. Miss Holly said she was extremely proud of all her students. “It really doesn’t matter where they place, but the great marks show how much they are listening and learning. Most of all, I am impressed with their behaviour at the festival – they set such a great example for the school,” she said.

This year’s festival was particularly poignant as it was the first without Mrs Barton, Holly’s former drama teacher, who passed away in December 2025 at the age of 96.

Mrs Barton had been a strong supporter of Holly’s career and had always hoped to see her become a teacher.

Reflecting on her influence, Holly said: “I learnt so much from Mrs Barton, not just in lessons but in conversation. I always loved going to her house.

“I learnt a lot in the hour lesson I had each week and I found once I had grown up I wanted to visit just to see her and to talk, not just for drama lessons. And wow, she could talk! She'd not stop talking for a full hour.

“But I always listened, and now I often speak of her or the stories she told.”

Holly Anderson Speech and Drama School currently has places available for children aged 7–9 and 14+, with a waiting list in place for ages 10–13.

Holly and her Drama students will now work towards exams and shows and hopefully return to the festival next year