Solo Dance Competition
This is an annual dance partnership initiative designed to give students an opportunity to develop their choreography and performance skills, whilst also improving their self confidence. The competition started in an online format over the covid lockdown period, to give students an alternative way to perform and engage with other pupils, despite the social restrictions which were in place. The following year, we developed the competition to include a live dance workshop and a finalists showcase performance.
Aims
The aim of the partnership is to increase competitive dance opportunities in the local area and provide students with opportunities to collaborate and perform with partnership schools. The need for this dance initiative was identified from the lack of performance opportunities in our local area and the desire to bring together talented performers from a variety of mainstream and SEND schools. The critical factors for success are that the online format makes it accessible to all, no matter how much time and space is available within the school setting, students have the ability to create and film their dance at home. Clear judging criteria gives students guidance and support when creating their routines and the depth of criteria both technically and artistically helps to level the playing field between different dance styles.
The immediate beneficiaries of the competition are the participating students and also their accompanying staff who are given the opportunity to network with other schools. Several of the schools have also shared video footage and photographs of the competition after returning to school, which provides an additional benefit and will potentially inspire their wider school community.
Background
There has been an annual dance competition at St Helen's for some years and the St Helen's dance teacher wanted to expand this to give other schools the opportunity to take part, particularly as students were unable to perform in public due to covid restrictions.
After contacting several local schools it was clear that there was a lot of interest in the initiative and plans were set in motion to create the judging criteria and format of the competition.
The solo dance competition has now been running for 2 years and will run for many more.
Resources
This partnership has been led by St Helen's staff along with a freelance professional dancer used to adjudicate. St Helen's have provided the facilities and administration for the competition.
Financial contribution from St Helen's have been used towards the cost of filming, adjudication, medals and certificates. We have also been fortunate to receive a generous grant for Goring Arts Society which has paid for the additional cost of hiring a professional street dance teacher to lead our results day workshop this year. This grant was made as a response to further partnership work with Iffley Academy.
Impact
The impact on students has been wide ranging. They have developed their own skills and dance experience through entering the competition and also from seeing the show reel and live performances of other dancers work.
There has also been a growth in confidence for students not used to performing in public and a sense of peer community during a national pandemic. The dance workshop this year was particularly successful in improving self belief and confidence, particularly for those from Iffley Academy.
Pupil Involvement
We currently have 1 independent school and 3 state schools involved. Approximately 45 students have taken part so far and have been from years 7-13. We hope to expand this number further next year.
Frequency
This is an annual event which will continue for the foresee able future.
