Dance Inspire

Dance Inspire brings two ballet teachers and a pianist into deprived Greenwich schools on a weekly basis to teach an hour-long dance class with an emphasis on ballet. A whole year-group in each school is selected for the project (on the recommendation of the school) and each child in that class participates. We also run an after-school dance club for year-groups who have previously taken part in the project.

These classes form part of the school timetable and are linked to the curriculum. The project runs in the school for the whole school year and at the end of the year, the project finishes with performances of an adapted LCB ballet in front of the school and the children's parents.

Dance Inspire aims to build self-confidence and self-esteem, teaching children what they can achieve and that they are worth something. Teaching children belief in their own self-worth has a knock-on effect in their other studies as their confidence in dance translates into confidence in literacy and numeracy as well as in making friendships and interacting with their peers. These are all skills that are critical to children’s educational and social development.

A nine year old child who could not put her alphabet in order can now read simple books and write sentences; before she was reluctant to try. Her confidence has grown and she is doing better in all areas. When asked at the end of the year, she reported that it was the ballet classes she enjoyed and learned most from during the year. There were many other children, whose improved confidence because of the ballet, led to higher attainment in other areas.

Headteacher of a school participating in Dance Inspire