Title

The social change and cohesion necessary in so many of our communities can be stimulated in a variety of ways. An illustration of this is the new initiative launched this month, building on the success of BBC TV's Strictly Come Dancing programme, watched by millions each week. ‘Essentially dance' is a pilot scheme designed to bring ballroom and Latin dance into schools to improve children's fitness and self-esteem. Over the last 12 months, my foundation has been working with Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova, two stars from Strictly Come Dancing , together with two other professional dancers and a sports partnership expert, developing a programme designed to train school staff to teach dance as part of their core PE lessons. The programme, funded by the Aldridge Foundation, is being piloted with 2,500 schoolchildren aged five to 16 in 29 primary and secondary schools in Brighton, Salford, Blackburn, Bromley and Rotherham. The pilot is being independently evaluated by Roehampton University, whose staff are monitoring activity and health levels, cross-gender relationships, confidence, and self-esteem. So far, feedback is very positive, and the aim is to offer Essentially dance to schools across the country through the School Sports Partnership network, from June. And it is not only young people who are benefiting. Many teachers are discovering a passion for dance. Some have said that since starting the programme, they have noticed a better rapport with children in the classroom. In one of pilot areas, the school has drawn in parents and grandparents, who have been keen to join after-school classes. This has offered the opportunity for a number of celebratory events where five to 60-year-olds have danced together, building social cohesion and intergenerational relationships in the community. Ballroom dancing used to be seen as something old-fashioned and inaccessible. But by making it part of the national curriculum, we aim to break down those barriers and give young people from all backgrounds the chance to learn a new skill which will benefit them in later life. Not all of the children involved will go on to become competitive ballroom dancers, but children who once loathed traditional PE classes may now decide to remember their kit. Learning to dance will provide a badly-needed boost for many students. Successfully learning a new skill will provide them with the confidence to take on other challenges in their lives, to change themselves and eventually, their communities. So, social change and cohesion can come from unexpected sources. As one student who was, at first, teased, said, ‘Don't knock it until you've tried it'. It could be your turn next to learn!

Title

WHITEHALL

Plugged In

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING