The Maltings is delighted to continue its partnership with Berwick Academy through a new year-long dance residency, bringing professional artist Pagan Hunt into the school community to work alongside students and staff.
Beginning after the October half term, the residency will run throughout the 2026–27 academic year, creating opportunities for young people to explore dance and movement, develop their creative skills and discover new ways to express themselves.
Pagan Hunt is a dance artist, choreographer and facilitator originally from Shropshire and now based in Gateshead. She is co-director of Pelican Theatre, co-creator of Flip the Switch, and has performed with companies across the North East, nationally and internationally.
Through the residency, Pagan will become an embedded part of the Berwick Academy community, working collaboratively with students and staff to develop a programme that responds to the interests and needs of the school. Alongside experiencing professional dance practice, students will have the opportunity to contribute to the creative process and take part in developing new work.
Ros Lamont, CEO of The Maltings, said:
“We’re delighted to be able to continue our residency partnership with Berwick Academy with the support of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority. Bringing professional artists and young people together for sustained periods through the year, every year, is a crucial part of our role in Berwick – ensuring our young people get as many chances as possible to explore their creativity and self-expression, building skills that enrich every aspect of their lives for the long term.”
Leanne Watson, Deputy Headteacher at Berwick Academy, added:
“We’re really excited to welcome Pagan to Berwick Academy and to see where this residency takes our students. Having a professional artist working alongside our staff and students throughout the year creates a fantastic opportunity for young people to experience dance in a different way, develop their confidence and discover what they can achieve through creativity and collaboration.”
Pagan is equally excited to begin working with the school community.
“I’m really excited to be spending the next year within the school community at Berwick Academy. I’m looking forward to supporting students and staff to access their creativity and build confidence through movement. I hope we can co-create a meaningful dance programme together that has a lasting impact on the school and the wider community in Berwick.”
The residency forms part of The Maltings’ ongoing commitment to making arts and cultural experiences accessible to young people across Berwick and the surrounding area. By building long-term relationships between schools and professional artists, the programme aims to create meaningful opportunities for young people to engage with creative practice, develop transferable skills and build a lasting connection to the arts.
Supported by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, the partnership reflects the value of sustained creative opportunities in helping young people grow in confidence, collaborate with others and explore their potential.
As Pagan begins her residency at Berwick Academy this autumn, the year ahead offers an exciting opportunity for students to discover what dance can make possible – both creatively and within their wider lives.