The place of dance in the National Curriculum

Abstract

The research aims to discover where dance should be placed within the National Curriculum. The study will look at the adequacy of the curriculum orders for dance education, and question whether or not the physical education curriculum caters for dance or if dance is best placed within the arts in schools. This shall be achieved highlighting important issues of the debate such as recognising the benefits of dance, identifying the limitations and the issue of non-specialist teachers teaching dance. A sample of six subjects from both the physical education background and performing arts background were request to partake within the study. Structured interviews were conducted and recorded with each participant. It was felt that this was the most effective method of gathering data for the study. The research mainly comprises of peoples views and opinions regarding the current issue of dance education in schools. The questions in the interview were open ended as it was decided that this would allow respondents to justify there responses as well as adding any further opinions they have on the matter. The study showed that the majority of the subjects felt that dance should stay within physical education. The reasons behind this were that many respondents felt by placing dance within physical education it allows every child to experience dance at a certain level. Subjects highlighted the increase in awareness of health related issues in young people suggesting this relates more to physical education than art. Despite this most recognised the importance of creativity and expression that is eminent through dance education and believed that more is needed to be done to promote this, mainly through preparing and education teachers more thoroughly in the subject of dance.