The Guidance for Dance

For the purposes of the National Curriculum, the subject of dance is currently identified within the study of physical education. Its place in the curriculum in schools may vary from being within a performing, expressive or creative arts structure to being part of the physical education programme. The underpinning rationale for dance in schools should be as an art form that contributes to the artistic, aesthetic, cultural, social and physical education of pupils.

Arts Council England believes dance makes a significant contribution to the lives of young people. Education is the only way to ensure all young people have access to relevant, high-quality dance experience and to learning in, through and about dance.

Arts Council says:
Its future is dependent on talent; we need to do more to identify, nurture, sustain and retain that talent

Guidance for teaching pupils gifted and talented in the arts.

This guidance was commissioned by the DfES, NESTA, DCMS amd Arts Council England in 2003. Written by experts in education and each specific art form, it provides teachers at all key stages with a valuable resource, demonstrating the importance of the arts in education and providing indicators for the identification and development of gifted and talented pupils. It is available as a word document to read here and is also available to download in acrobat reader.
School art: what's in it? Arts Council, Tate Galleries and NFER research project. See NFER Bookshop

Key organisations

• Foundation for community dance (http://www.communitydance.org.uk/)
• Council for dance education and training (http://www.cdet.org.uk/)
• National dance teachers association (http://www.ndta.org.uk/)
• National Resource Centre for Dance (NRCD) (http://www.ndta.org.uk/)
• Creative Partnerships (http://www.creative-partnerships.com/)
• Youth Dance England (http://www.yde.org.uk/)
• Further organisations and regional dance education providers can be found on the 'find a provider' page

Key Events:

Youth Dance England - national youth dance festival 17 - 21 July 2006

Key Awards
	The Dance & Drama Awards (Awards Link) Dance and Drama Awards are for students over the age of 16 who want to work in the performing arts. They're available from some of England's leading private dance and drama schools and they'll help you pay for a place on a prestigious and well-respected course, whatever your financial circumstances.
	Artsmark (http://www.artsmark.co.uk/) An Artsmark is awarded to schools who show a commitment to the full range of arts - music, dance, drama and art and design. It is a national award scheme and is managed by Arts Council England.
	Arts Award http://www.artsaward.org.uk/ This new award was launched in autumn 2005 by Arts Council England and DCMS. The Arts Award is the first award scheme to recognise the development of young artists and young arts leaders. It celebrates the creative progress made by young people and not just their artistic skill. The award is for young people aged 11 to 25. Particpants can choose their art form and make their own plans, including improving skills, seeing the work of other artists and running an arts project. Students share their work with other people by recording what they do. For more information and details of how to take part visit the website.