DANCE WORKSHOPS FOR SCHOOLS

What happens in a dance workshop in school?

We provide educational dance workshops in schools so the children learn about the style, culture and history of the dance. They also find out about the country, or period in history that the dance originates from.

It’s so important to stay fit and healthy, and dance is a great way of achieving that. At the start of our workshops, we talk about the importance of exercise and the many ways that dance can benefit our lives.

Take a look at our dance showreel to see photos and video clips of children enjoying our workshops in many different styles of dance.

You can pick the dance style you think would be most suitable for your class or school. Take a look at the dance styles we offer or let us know if there is a different style you would like to try.

We can teach the same dance style to all the classes, or each class can choose a different style – it’s up to you.

How long is a school dance workshop?

Our dance workshops for schools vary in length. We recommend:

• 30 minutes for Nursery and Reception
• From 45 minutes to one hour for Key Stage 1
• From one to two hours is suitable for Key Stage 2 and above

Zest can structure your days with you in a number of ways. We will fit around your school’s timetable, so just contact us to let us know your requirements.

You can fit in six or seven different dance workshops into your school day (years Reception to six for a primary school).

We have found that fitting seven workshops of 35 minutes each works well with the standard school timetable.

We can teach for a half day or a whole day, let us know what you require.

Dance workshop structure

This is what happens in our dance workshops for schools:

• Introduction to the background and style of dance chosen for your workshops
• Showing costumes and props (depending on dance style)
• Full dance warm up
• Dance ‘games’ to get the pupils used to the teacher and the style of dance
• We will teach either a short sequence or a full dance routine, depending on the workshop length
• Choreography: We like pupils to be able to express themselves, so for the longer sessions they can explore their own choreographic ideas in small groups
• Performance: Either to the rest of the class at the end, or a bigger performance to some other classes in assembly – a performance gives them something to work towards and great ending to the session
• Cool down and stretch to end

For more information on performances, assemblies or Inset sessions, please see the Dance Workshops Extra page.