JADE Hunt is more commonly known by her pupils as Miss Hunt at Horizon Community College.

Jade, 38, is the school’s subject leader of dance, where she is well-known and loved by staff and pupils alike.

Her dedication for going above and beyond for her pupils has earned her a Proud of Barnsley nomination.

Jade has a whopping 180 dance pupils, with an uptake rate of ten per cent of the school’s total population.

‘DanceFam’, her cohort of dancers have the opportunity to partake in six dance enrichments clubs, weekly.

The club fosters dancers from all backgrounds, encouraging both girls and boys to get involved.

Each pupil is encouraged to pursue their passions for contemporary, street dance, modern, ballet and more.

She also teaches folk dancing to the street dancers, believing in the power of combining old and new music.

For the last 14 years, her group of young dancers have had an annual school trip to the Swanage Folk Festival.

The festival allows Jade’s pupils to shine by showcasing their performances for a full weekend.

Jade’s dance group has been praised as they are the only dance group of their age still practising this form.

Aside from Jade’s dedication to her students, her skilful choreography has been nationally recognised by multiple dance platforms.

Because of this, many of her students have been offered places at the most prestigious performing arts colleges.

Horizon students have continued their success at Yorkshire dance festivals and FRESH.

This year the BTEC cohort made it to the final with their piece called ‘HOPE’ under Jade’s tutelage.

More locally, Jade hosts an annual dance show at Horizon Community College.

With a small budget for so many children, Jade commits to making many of the costumes in her own time.

She also fundraises alongside the students, so that everyone can be a part of her ‘DanceFam’ with no costs.

Parent and nominator, Sarah Nicholas, said: “It’s safe to say that Miss Hunt knows every one of her students.

“Their willingness to please her is abundantly clear at every event.

“It’s lovely to see the more shy pupils in year seven work their way to the front of the stage as the years progress.

“This, I believe to be 100 per cent down to Miss Hunt’s support and encouragement to believe in themselves.

“The extra commitment this event takes for every student and Miss Hunt goes beyond their teaching and learning hours every week.”

Jade added: “It was a really big surprise to be nominated.

“It’s really lovely, but as head of dance at Horizon, the ultimate thanks that the students give to me is their talent and enthusiasm.”