#393 Expressing emotion through dance – The Willows Primary and DanceEast

I and the Year 6 Teacher met with the Leader Lucy, along with the Dance Artist via a Zoom meeting to inform us what their outcome would look like at the end of the project. We also spoke about what we wanted the pupils to achieve and our expected outcomes.  

22 Pupils worked with professionals every week to deliver and contribute towards the project. 

Overall the project has had a positive outcome. Not only have the pupils participated, they have been very engaged and focused throughout the 10 week project. We as a school have seen the pupils benefit and the difference it has made has gone beyond our expectations.   

Social and Emotional Barriers, SEN, Mental Health, Behaviour and Resilience = Through looking at the areas that I/we felt were the most important. It been seen that the pupils have not only been able to express their feelings. The transition to High School has made them feel more confident.  Pupils are closer; Friendships have developed, team building is more focused in class. This has been observed by other staff members and commented upon.

The pupils have become more resilient. As the weeks went on pupils became stronger on how to express their emotions and needs.   

From the project starting right through to the end, it has had a massive impact on our Year 6 pupils. All the areas we took into consideration of where we wanted the pupils to be at the end of the project have been met by all the pupils’ needs in many different ways – Social and Emotional Barriers, SEN, Mental Health, Behaviour and Resilience – through looking at the areas that I/we felt were the most important.

It been seen that the pupils have not only been able to express their feelings. The transition to High School has made them feel more confident.  Pupils are closer; Friendships have developed, team building is more focused in class. This has been observed by other staff members and commented upon.

I applied for additional funding in order to allow a group of Year 5 pupils to have the same opportunity as Year 6. Again this has gone exceptional well.  

Social and Emotional Barriers, SEN, Mental Health, Behaviour and Resilience. All of these areas play a big part in our lives and my role within my setting as a Learning Mentor, working closely alongside pupils with behavioural needs. These, pupils behaviour has changed for the better.  

One particular pupil who has a big interest in Dance has been able to participate. This pupil struggled to engage and focus. He would refuse to go into class, would not speak to staff about his feelings.   

The outcome has been positive he has been able to be more resilient, develop new friendships and be more focused in class. To add to the positives he is able to express his feelings to staff members. This is not to say that this will carry on in this way, however, progress has seen to be made and the outcome has made a big impact on his education.  

If additional funding is available next year. I would like to have the opportunity of applying. The project has given so much to my setting and it has been able to support so many pupils in different ways for the better. 

In addition, The Year 6 teacher has had the chance to complete an Arts Award at the Discovery and Explore Level.  

For part of the award which took place at Dance East Studios this involved a Tour, Workshop, Creating a Sequence and Performance.    

This was a great opportunity and through the experience and applying it within the classroom, it has been seen that this pupil’s English work has developed in many different ways; furthermore, the teacher will be able to use this award to apply it to the Curriculum in the near future.