Memorandum submitted by Jacqueline D Harper
For those of us who have trained long and hard
since the age of three to specialise in Dance and Movement, we
welcome the opportunity to speak. Although we know we have the
expertise to teach dance within the national curriculum we need
backing to support our efforts. From a personal point of view
I have taught on a volunteer basis at two junior schools in Shropshire,
Buildwas and Barrow. I have been able to do this because the schools
are attended by my own children. At both schools I have taught
pure Margaret Morris Movement Health Play and Grade 1. The children
absolutely adore the movement and the music. The teachers who
participated in the classes were also impressed with how the children
responded. The classes for Barrow were held at the local secondary
school, William Brookes. The Head of PE observed these classes,
and if funding were forthcoming would like to get classes established
in all eight junior schools within the catchment area. Dance does
not require as much funding as other sports where more equipment
is required. The sad situation here is that I attended William
Brookes in the 70s and in 1978 achieved an `O' level in Ballet.
The school allowed me to sit the papers, although I did the work
at home, and it has taken until October of last year for the School
to reach School of the Arts status, which has been achieved by
local people providing funds.
However, it is the time available within the
school day to take on extra curricular activities that must be
found. We are putting so much pressure on teachers and students
to reach targets that it is forgotten to give them time to relax
and enjoy life. As a specialist in Dance and Gymnastics I would
welcome the opportunity to see funding and backing to encourage
dance in all schools and be available to take the strain off the
already overloaded teacher. Dance has so many forms that everyone
can be catered for.
Within Margaret Morris Movement it is noticeable
that the number of registered teachers does not reflect the numbers
actually teaching. Those registered are one hundred, whereas only
a third of those are active. Of those maybe only 10 are teaching
children on a regular basis. Many of our members delay taking
teaching exams because the light at the end of the tunnel is so
dim, the hours required away from family time and other commitments
does not seem justified. Many of our members are also at the older
end of the spectrum, indicating that the youth of today need to
know that they are pursuing an activity that will not only be
enjoyable, but provide a living. Most are daunted by the hours
required to complete training that appears to be never ending
because of changes, new policies, etc, etc. The major issue is
as always funding!
The International Association of Margaret Morris
Movement will be One Hundred years old in 2010 and we would like
to MOVE into our next Century on a positive note. We have the
knowledge to train others to enjoy movement and ultimately to
train them to teach. We have teachers who are more than willing
to support Dance for All in All Schools.
4 May 2004
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