Meet Beverly Scott-Herron

What inspired you to take part in support of St. Rocco’s this year?

I wanted to take part in support of St. Rocco's this year because it provides me with an opportunity to give back and make a meaningful difference to a cause that is incredibly close to my heart.

As a Headteacher, I strive every day to inspire and motivate the young people and communities I serve to be the very best versions of themselves. At the heart of everything I do is a belief in High Expectations, High Aspirations and High Standards. I encourage my students to embrace these values because I genuinely believe that when young people have belief in themselves, work hard and refuse to limit what they can achieve, they can succeed not only academically but in all aspects of life.

Therefore, part of my motivation for taking on this challenge comes from wanting to lead by example. I have always believed that if we are prepared to put our minds to something, give our very best effort and remain determined when things become difficult, we can achieve far more than we ever thought possible. Sometimes, however, achieving something worthwhile requires us to step outside of our comfort zone. That can be daunting, and it can often be the very thing that holds us back. By taking part in this challenge, I hope to demonstrate to my students, colleagues and community that growth happens when we are willing to challenge ourselves, embrace discomfort and face our fears head-on.

Whilst that personal challenge is important, what truly underpins my motivation is the incredible work carried out by St. Rocco's.

I have experienced first-hand the impact that hospice care can have on individuals and families. Having lost both of my parents, I understand how important compassionate care, dignity, support and kindness are during some of life's most difficult moments. Hospices such as St. Rocco's provide so much more than medical care; they provide comfort, reassurance, dignity and unwavering support to patients and their loved ones when they need it most.

The work they do is invaluable. It is impossible to fully measure the difference they make to families facing incredibly challenging circumstances. Behind that support is an extraordinary team of dedicated staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to care for others with compassion, professionalism and humanity. Their commitment deserves both recognition and support from the communities they serve.

Knowing the difference that St. Rocco's makes gives me even greater motivation to take part. If I can contribute in even a small way by raising money and awareness, then I know the challenge will be worthwhile.

I am also incredibly fortunate to have the support of my students, staff, school community, family and friends behind me. Their encouragement provides me with additional motivation and reminds me that when people come together with a shared purpose, amazing things can be achieved.

Ultimately, this challenge is about much more than completing an event. It is about demonstrating resilience, embracing challenge, giving back to others and supporting a charity whose work changes lives every single day. If, through my participation, I can inspire even one young person to believe in themselves, step outside their comfort zone or recognise the importance of helping others, then I will consider it a success.

Supporting St. Rocco's is both a privilege and an honour, and I am proud to play a small part in helping such an incredible organisation continue its vital work.

What is your previous dancing experience and how are you feeling about dancing?

My previous dancing experience can best be described as "enthusiastic rather than accomplished"!

Most of my dancing has taken place around my kitchen island, usually with a cup of tea nearby and absolutely no judges in sight. I did have a brief foray into the world of dance when I was around 12 years old and took part in clog dancing while living in Cumbria.

Unfortunately, that is where my formal dance training both began and ended!

That said, I do have a real love of dancing. I absolutely love a good ceilidh and, in fact, we had one at our wedding. My husband and I even learnt a traditional Scottish dance for our first dance, which was great fun and thankfully went far more smoothly than some of my later dance attempts! When I first taught in Scotland, I regularly taught ceilidh dancing to my students, and they absolutely loved it. The beauty of ceilidh dancing is that it brings everyone together, regardless of ability, and there is always a lot of laughter involved.

However, I should probably point out that ceilidh dancing is very structured. The patterns are set, the moves are called out for you and everyone is generally moving in the same direction at the same time. I'm not entirely sure that qualifies me for Strictly! Following instructions in a large group is very different from gracefully gliding across a ballroom floor whilst trying to remember a routine, stay in time with the music and avoid accidentally taking out your professional dance partner.

I do come from a musical background. I studied Music at degree level and trained as an opera singer, so I am very comfortable performing in front of an audience. I can hold a rhythm, count to eight and generally move in time to music, but beyond that I suspect my professional dance partner may have quite a challenge on their hands!

I am incredibly excited about taking part because dancing is something I have always wanted to do. Like many people, I have spent years watching Strictly Come Dancing on a Saturday night and convincing myself that I could absolutely glide effortlessly across the dance floor.

In my head, I look somewhere between a Strictly professional and a West End star. The reality may be somewhat different, and I suspect there will be moments when my feet and the music are having entirely separate conversations!

That said, I am genuinely looking forward to the experience. One of the reasons I wanted to take part was to push myself outside of my comfort zone. As a Headteacher, I spend a lot of time encouraging young people to take risks, embrace challenges and have the confidence to try new things. It only seems fair that I take my own advice every now and then.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I have a very competitive streak and can be quite critical of myself. If I commit to something, I want to do it well—and preferably perfectly! I know there will be moments of frustration when I can't quite master a step, but I am determined to enjoy every second of the journey.

Fortunately, I am a confident person and I love being on stage. Performing has always been something I enjoy, so I am hoping that my personality, enthusiasm and willingness to throw myself into the experience will carry me through. My strategy is simple: smile confidently, perform with energy and hope that nobody spends too much time looking at my feet!

Ultimately, this is all about having fun, supporting an incredible cause and proving that even if you've spent most of your life dancing around the kitchen, teaching ceilidh dancing, and convincing yourself you're a Strictly champion from the comfort of your sofa, it's never too late to put on your dancing shoes and give it a go.

What are you most looking forward to about the Strictly experience?

Honestly, absolutely all of it!

One of the things I am most excited about is the camaraderie that develops throughout the process. Whilst we'll all be competing in our own way, I know there will be a fantastic sense of support, encouragement and friendship amongst the dancers. Bringing together a group of people who are all stepping outside their comfort zones, learning something completely new and raising money for an incredible cause is a recipe for plenty of laughter, memorable moments and lifelong memories.

I am also really looking forward to learning a new skill. I have always loved performing, whether through music, singing or being on stage, so the opportunity to develop a completely different performance skill is incredibly exciting. I firmly believe that we should never stop learning, and I love setting myself new challenges. This certainly falls into that category!

The training itself is something I cannot wait for. Those who know me well will tell you that I thrive on challenge and throw myself wholeheartedly into anything I commit to. I suspect whoever is lucky enough to be partnered with me will discover fairly quickly that I bring plenty of enthusiasm, energy and determination... alongside being just a little bit high maintenance! They may need the patience of a saint, but I can guarantee we'll have a lot of fun along the way.

Of course, I am especially looking forward to the big night itself. There is something magical about live performance—the anticipation, the nerves, the excitement and those butterflies that start the moment you walk backstage. I love that feeling. It's a mixture of terror and exhilaration that reminds you that you're doing something worthwhile. Walking onto that dance floor knowing how much work has gone into the performance will be an incredible moment.

Most importantly, though, I am looking forward to seeing the difference we can make. Every rehearsal, every sore muscle and every embarrassing dance step will be worth it if it helps raise money for such an amazing cause. Knowing that our efforts can support St Rocco's and the incredible work they do for families in our community gives this experience a much deeper meaning.

I am beyond excited about the entire journey. The friendships, the fun, the challenge, the learning, the nerves, the laughter and the opportunity to make a real difference—it truly has all the ingredients of an unforgettable experience. If I can learn a few dance moves along the way, that will just be an added bonus!

What song always gets you up and dancing?

This is a very difficult question because, if I'm honest, it doesn't usually take much to get me up on the dance floor! I am often the first person dancing at most events and usually one of the last people to sit down. Whether that's due to confidence, enthusiasm or a complete lack of self-awareness is still up for debate!

If I had to choose one song that guarantees I'll be dancing, it would have to be September by Earth, Wind & Fire. The opening bars come on and I seem to lose all ability to remain seated. It's impossible not to smile when that song starts playing. In fact, if September is on, you'll probably find me halfway to the dance floor before I've even realised I've stood up.

I absolutely love 70s disco. Give me a disco ball, a questionable dance move and a classic floor-filler and I am in my element. In my head, I look like I've stepped straight out of Studio 54. The reality may be somewhat different, but fortunately my enthusiasm usually outweighs my ability!

Slightly off piste, I am also a huge fan of Pink Martini. Their music has that wonderful Latin-inspired feel that I absolutely adore. There is something about the rhythm, energy and elegance of Latin music that makes you want to move. Whether I can actually move with the elegance the music deserves is another matter entirely.

I also have a soft spot for the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. Like many people of a certain generation, I have watched the film more times than I care to admit. In fact, I once attempted one of the famous lifts with a friend. For reasons that remain unclear, I was doing the lifting. Let's just say it did not end with triumphant applause, dramatic music and a standing ovation. It was far less Patrick Swayze and far more health and safety incident. Thankfully, nobody was injured, although our dignity may never have fully recovered!

Over the years I have developed a few dance routines that I can pull out of the bag when required. They have been carefully refined through years of weddings, parties, school events and kitchen discos. Whilst I wouldn't necessarily suggest they are ready for the Strictly judges, they have always been well received by me, which is the audience that matters most!

Ultimately, any song with a great beat, a bit of disco, some Latin flair or a singalong chorus is enough to get me dancing. The challenge for Strictly may not be getting me onto the dance floor—it may be convincing me that some of my existing moves need to stay firmly in the past!