Roehampton University
Open Spaces. Open Minds.
The University evaluates the Essentially Dance pilot education scheme
Story Posted: 24 February 2009
The School of Education at Roehampton has been selected to evaluate the pilot scheme, which involves 52 teachers in 29 primary and secondary schools across the country receiving ballroom and Latin dance training to include in their PE lessons. The expertise and knowledge of the research team, led by Dr Jeanne Keay, in physical education will provide detailed analysis of the impact of the project.
Launched by Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova, two professional dancers from the BBC show, Strictly Come Dancing, the scheme aims to boost students’ health and self-esteem through learning a range of dance styles including the cha-cha-cha, waltz, jive, salsa, quickstep, ballroom and Latin dancing.
Jeanne Keay, Dean of School of Education at Roehampton University, explains: "Dance has the potential to motivate and involve pupils of all ages. The research will investigate how the professional development opportunities and the high-quality supporting resources help teachers to develop pupils’ enthusiasm for dance and also their involvement in healthy lifestyles.
"Physical education throughout a child's schooling should provide them with the movement competence, which they can use and adapt to any situation later in life. Dance has the potential to help pupils learn to move and move to learn."
The University will use a range of approaches to evaluate the impact of the scheme, including interviews and questionnaires with teachers and pupils before and after their involvement in the project. If the scheme proves successful, the resource and opportunities will be made available to all schools and teachers.
Roehampton University will also explore the benefits of dancing in schools at its fifth annual Primary PE Conference – Social Inclusion: Working Together – on Friday 24 April. Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova will present a morning workshop titled Challenging stereotypes through Ballroom and Latin dance. Additionally, the keynote speaker will be Roehampton University Honorary Graduate, Geoff Thompson MBE, who is also a five times former World Karate Champion and founder and Executive Chairman of the Youth Charter for Sport, Culture and Arts.
The conference is aimed at teachers and those working in the area of Primary School Physical Education. To book a ticket, please contact Natalie O'Driscoll (email: N.O'driscoll@roehampton.ac.uk, tel: 020 8392 3698) or download a booking form.
For more information on Essentially Dance, visit the Essentially Dance website or the Aldridge Foundation website.