Scheme Two LEA school Teacher Training Day.

Staunton Community Sports College, Havant,

Hampshire. Thursday 8th March 2007

 

Report by Caroline Peters, School Sports Coordinator

 

 

This was a workshop that was eagerly awaited by schools across our partnership. A great deal of interest was shown to introduce ballroom dancing as a new activity in some schools. Purbrook Junior School had already started a club, the demand was enormous, 90 pupils showed an interest in joining in.

Thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of Alan Homer, from Bournemouth, who helped us to set up our first Ballroom Dance workshop.

Teachers and teaching assistants attended the day long course which was run by Philip Perry, a leading teacher of Ballroom Dancing. Philip runs similar workshops across the United Kingdom, to promote Ballroom dancing in schools

The focus of the day was on four dances, the Merengue, Rhythm Foxtrot, Freestyle disco and Paso Doble.

The way Philip taught each dance was superb; all the teachers were given very clear, simple instructions for each step of each dance. The teachers found the approach easy to get to grips with. Philip was accompanied by Lisa Bellinger, a professional dancer (a British Champion). Between them, they demonstrated the dances perfectly. Philip also gave ways to develop dances further, adding to the basic steps.

 

The whole day was well received by all attendees, they thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and they gained confidence and did well performing each dance. They were performing individually at times, which gave Philip the opportunity to work with each teacher.

 

During lunch time, we had the opportunity to watch excerpts 'Mad Hot Ballroom" a film based on a school where children started ballroom dancing and ended up performing in competitions.

 

Here are a few comments from teachers attending the course.

 

"A fantastic course that will give teachers the confidence to go back to their schools and teach ballroom dancing"

 

'I feel the course was well delivered and will give me the confidence to pass this on to the pupils."

 

'A very useful and enjoyable day, I cannot wait to get back to school and use what I have learned."

 

 

Caroline Peters

School Sports Coordinator.