Aldridge Foundation calls on local authorities to support scheme to improve children’s fitness

The Aldridge Foundation is calling on local authorities to support a scheme bringing ballroom and Latin dance into schools to improve children's fitness and self-esteem.

The scheme, called Essentially Dance, trains school staff to teach children of all ages ballroom and Latin dance as part of the PE National Curriculum.

It is being piloted with over 2,500 students aged 5-18  at 29 schools with funding from  The Aldridge Foundation in partnership with  professional dancers Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova from the BBC's popular Strictly Come Dancing TV show, City Limits Education, PE and dance experts Sue Cooper and Lorraine Drolet.

It complements the initiative announced by Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, to examine how promote health and fitness among adults through dance and has been welcomed by the Children's Minister Ed Balls.

Over the next three months, 52 teachers and classroom assistants will receive practical training sessions with professional dance and PE experts supported by a training resource, which includes a step-by-step DVD led by Darren and Lilia, a booklet with easy to follow sessions and a CD with suitable music.

The new initiative, which meets the Government's Every Child Matters outcomes on health, enjoyment and achievement, targets to reduce childhood obesity and the National Curriculum's Key stage 1-5 provision for Physical Education, aims to:

• Improve young people's health and fitness
• Build confidence and self-esteem
• Improve cross-gender and inter-generational relationships

The outcomes for both teachers and children will be independently evaluated by Roehampton University. The Foundation plans to make the final training resource available to all schools following a national launch this June.

Rod Aldridge, Chairman of The Aldridge Foundation, said he wanted to harness the popularity of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing TV programme to improve children's health and self-esteem and hoped local authorities would promote the scheme to schools: "Essentially Dance offers children, especially those not as engaged by traditional sport, with a form of exercise that captures young people's enthusiasm for dance and builds their self-esteem and social skills.

"We hope that local authorities will see the benefits for the children involved and promote it to schools in their area through their Partnership Development Managers."

Ed Balls, the Children, Schools, and Families Secretary, welcomed the Essentially Dance scheme saying: "From ballroom to ballet, dancing is a fantastic way for children to keep fit and have fun. 

"We want to encourage everyone to take part in physical education and we know that dance is a great way to improve fitness and can attract young people who perhaps do not enjoy competitive sport such as football or netball.  Dance forms part of the PE and sport curriculum and I hope both teachers and children will quickly see the benefits from these pilots. 

"Making physical activity an attractive option for all young people is especially important if we are to tackle obesity and give young people enjoyable and positive activities they can take part in both during and after school."

Ends

The pilot scheme was officially launched with Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova on February 24 at two schools in Bromley, in London, and Falmer, near Brighton. For more information visit www.essentiallydance.com or contact Petra Coveney at the Aldridge Foundation, tel: 020 7925 7905 or email petra.coveney@aldridgefoundation.com

Notes to Editor

• Essentially Dance is being funded by the Aldridge Foundation www.aldridgefoundation.com. In partnership with Dale Bennett from City Limits Education, Sue Cooper and Lorraine Drolet.
• It is being piloted in 26 schools at five key sites: Darwen near Blackburn, Salford, Rotherham, Bromley in South London, and Falmer near Brighton.
• How can it promote healthy life-styles? Current government statistics show that two-thirds of adults and one-third of children are overweight.  Through giving young people a new option which is accessible to all, we can raise physical activity levels amongst them and their communities.  According to the NHS, ballroom dance can burn up to 300 calories an hour.
• How can it promote inter-generational and cross-gender relationships?  Ballroom dance is an activity that anyone of any age can take up.  It promotes communication between men and women and boys and girls, and provides who families with something they can enjoy together.  A dance programme in Rawmarsh, entitled Families Come Dancing allowed groups of all ages to forge new relationships.