Wealden Times | WT169 | March 2016 | Fashion supplement inside

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Leap & learn
We talk to Kiki Bradstock about how movement and dance can have a significant positive effect on other
areas of education and personal development...
How long have you been teaching dance in schools and
what is your training?
I started ballet at the age of three and was soon taking classes
in a range of different dance styles including tap, modern and
jazz. After completing my A-levels I went off to a full time professional
musical theatre college for three years, specialising in
dance. I completed the first level of my ISTD (Imperial Society
of Teachers of Dance) teaching qualifications in tap, modern
and ballet whilst still at college before going onto dance professionally
for three years. Unfortunately my performing career
was cut short due to joint problems but this gave me the opportunity
to come home and begin teaching full time. I spent
the next couple of years gaining my Royal Academy of Dance
registered teacher status and my ISTD Diploma in Dance
Education in tap and modern. I have been teaching in schools
for almost nine years now and absolutely love it.
Does learning to dance have an effect on pupils’ school life
in general and, if so, how?
Learning to dance can have a hugely positive effect on a
student's school life. Given the opportunity to dance they will
have the chance to explore not only their bodies and the space
around them in an imaginative and exciting way, but to learn
a whole range of other skills in the process. In a single dance
lesson a pupil will work on improving a range of physical factors
including co-ordination, strength and posture, all of which
help them to gain self-awareness and confidence. They will be
in a supportive environment which will allow them to explore
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