Dancing stars help pupils get fit

10 February 2009

Publication: Meltwater Media

Two Strictly Come Dancing stars are to help children to waltz, jive and cha cha cha their way to better health, it has been announced. Professional dancers Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova have recorded a DVD to help teachers and classroom assistants teach ballroom and Latin steps to children. Two Strictly Come Dancing stars are to help children to waltz, jive and cha cha cha their way to better health, it has been announced.

Professional dancers Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova have recorded a DVD to help teachers and classroom assistants teach ballroom and Latin steps to children.

More than 2,500 students aged five to 18 will learn to dance as part of a pilot project in 26 primary and secondary schools across England which will be launched later this month.

The scheme, called Essentially Dance, aims to improve children's health and fitness, build their confidence and improve their relationship skills.

Bennett, who learned to dance when he was six, said: "Not everyone who learns ballroom is going to take it up as a profession and win trophies but that's not the point - it's about having fun, getting fit and mixing socially with your peers."

The project is being supported by The Aldridge Foundation charity which tackles educational underachievement and social exclusion.

Chairman Rod Aldridge said he wanted to harness the popularity of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing TV programme to inspire a new generation to take to the dance floor.

"Essentially Dance is about inspiring the nation's young people to get on their feet to enjoy the physical exercise and confidence you can gain from ballroom dancing," he said.

"Ballroom dancing used to be seen as something old fashioned and inaccessible - but by making it part of the National Curriculum we can break down those barriers and give young people from all backgrounds the chance to benefit."

Roehampton University will study the benefits of the pilot scheme and the charity hopes to make the resource pack - which also includes a music CD and training booklet - available to all schools in the autumn.