DCMS Dance Links Brochure - Cornwall Healthy Schools

What makes an effectiveschool-club link?Who are the best teachersof dance?Effective school-club links in dance should provideopportunities for all children and young people toexperience, and enjoy, high quality dance indifferent ways and in a wide variety of danceforms. Effective links work through collaborationsbetween schools and out-of-school danceproviders.School-club links in dance take one of two forms.A. Schools work through formal partnerships without-of-school dance providers to enhanceopportunities in dance for children and youngpeople within the curriculum.B. Schools signpost and support individual orgroups of children and young people to accessdance opportunities provided in the widercommunity.School-club links include:• attendance at private dance classes• activities offered by dance artists working inassociation with local dance agencies, venues orother organisations“I love doing what Ido and hope I can carryon for the rest of my life.Dance club participant”School-club links should aim to support childrenand young people in:• taking part in a range of dance activities in boththe school and the dance club• understanding how their experiences in schooland at the dance club complement each otherTeachers that are most effective in delivering highquality dance to children and young people arethose who:• believe in the value of dance and have a passionfor sharing dance with children and youngpeople• understand and meet the different needs ofparticipants of varied abilities, ages,backgrounds and stages of development• use a range of teaching and learning strategiesto meet the pupils’ individual learning needs andenable them to reach their potential• can successfully integrate composition,performance and appreciation• communicate all aspects of safe dance practicethrough their own practiceexperience are often accredited in one or more ofthe following ways:• degree in dance, or dance and another subject• vocational training at a stage school• certified courses for working in schools and othercommunity settings• links with regional and national dance agencies• registration with a private dance teachingassociation such as the Royal Academy of Dance(RAD), Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance(ISTD), British Ballet Organisation (BBO)Visiting dance artists should have Criminal RecordBureau disclosure at an enhanced level and theirown public liability insurance.• dance clubs before school, during lunchtimes orafter school• choosing dance clubs that are suited to what theywant to achieve• deliver appropriate and challenging danceactivities safely and effectively• opportunities to take part in informal danceactivities during breaks or lunchtimes• moving confidently between the school and thedance club• refresh their practice by taking part in continuingprofessional development• short-term dance projects leading up toperformances in school or for a wider public• balancing their commitment to, and involvementin, the school and the dance club• have knowledge of relevant legislation forworking with children and young people• residencies involving dance companies/danceprofessionals• performance groups run by out-of-school danceprovidersTeachers with these attributes and skills are mostlikely to enable children and young people to fulfiltheir potential in dance.Using visiting dance teachers• dance festivals where schools come together toshare skills, ideas and performancesMany schools and dance clubs use visiting danceartists with the in-depth knowledge, professionalexperience and practical skills to deliver highquality dance successfully. Dance artists’ skills and6 Dance LinksDance Links7