I have decided to keep my options open and look at each section before I decide which one to explore.
My Dance school
Historically within the dance school pupils aged 14 have dropped out of classical ballet classes; this was evident through the register which is completed on a weekly basis at the dance school. Most of these pupils over the last 5 years haven’t left the dance school but have proceeded to enjoy and have furthered their grades in other areas of the dance school curriculum.
1. How to improve attendance with in the dance school during adolescence years?
After reading Jacob's blog this made me thinking, in order to know how to improve the attendence in the future I need to know what their inspiration to start ballet/dance was
2. What inspires a dancer to dance?
3. Why do pupils leave ballet at the age of 14?
4. An explanation of factors effecting the decision to continue to study ballet beyond Grade 6/7?
5. What influence do parents have over their children at the age of 14?
Main Stream Sector
GCSE dance qualification is equlivant to Grade 5/6 Ballet but this somehow does not seem correct, when looking at the standard of both dancers. Although the main stream sector is student lead enabling pupils to become creative thinkers and independent learners. The private sector is more teacher lead although allowing pupils to become independent learners. I am finding that students from the private sector become more technical and disciplined dancers and continue the private route to vocational schools where main sector become creative and tend to go to college and university.
1. Does the main stream sector allow dancers to become the best dancers they possible can?
Recently one of my students gained her advance ballet with The British Ballet Organization gaining Distinction she was also studying A Level dance with a teacher with only hip hop knowledge and no experience of any other form of dance. My dance student gained a F.
2. Do dance teachers need to have studied ballet?
3. How can non dance specialist teach dance qualifications GCSE/BTEC A LEVEL dance?
4. success rate from studying dance private sector and studying in a main stream schooling?
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteJust before reading your post I posted an entry myself in which I spoke about the differences between public and private dance education. I had a meeting with a principle of a dance school who was of the opinion that private dance education is mainly technique based, whereas public dance education is focused on creativity, improvisation and expression. While both are important, I would answer your question "Does the main stream sector allow dancers to become the best dancers they possibly can?" with no; without a strong technique base dance students are limited in their achievements.
We have very similar areas of interest! You should join my SIG "Dance within Secondary Education" on LinkedIn!
Thanks Liam I agree with your answer but wanted to further research this.Secondary education GSCE dance doesnt require ballet training to take the qualification but to take A level dance grade 5 Ballet is required for Stoke-on-Trent colleges i want to know what happens to the GSCE dance students with no ballet training do they get on to the A level and have to study ballet along side or do they have to take BTEC Hip Hop.
ReplyDeleteIll You your SIG
Hi Michelle, I am glad to see you are linking to Liam.
DeleteMy thoughts on this are slightly different to your perspective. I wonder whether it really helps to think about one or other approaches (professional schools; public schools) as better or worse?
It might be more productive to think in terms of what each sector brings in terms qualities or features.
As you questions develop, think more in terms of appreciating different advantages rather than trying to see one as 'better' or 'worse'. Creating 'dichotomies' (opposed ideas) often leads to poor questions and research.
It might be interesting to speak to (interview perhaps) professional who have come through both routes into successful practice and to find out the values they attribute to their experiences of education and training. Representing these views could be very interesting, empowering for you, and draw out insights.
You can’t get at an objective definitive answer to the ‘what is best’ question because too many other factors are at play (different people, different attitudes, different experiences).
‘What did you appreciate about your education and training might be far richer?
Thank you Alan, i never tought about it like that before but from what you have said i can see what you mean both are equally important and offer different qualities.
ReplyDelete