Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s cultural partnership so far this year has seen 126 primary school pupils from across the region achieve the Arts Award in Dance at Explore level under the guidance of Dance Development Officer Nicola Booth.
The programme, supported by Arts Council England and RL Cares has been set up to offer new and life changing opportunities to young people in the city, widening the arts programme currently on offer from the charity.
Through 12 hours of dance theory and practical assessment, young people aged 10-11 have achieved the Arts Award at Explore level; gaining a recognised qualification and a valuable introduction to exploring a career of learning in the arts.
The mixed groups of 10 boys and 116 girls taking part in the award came through the Rhinestones Academy which holds classes at three locations around the city after school hours along with 54 pupils accessed through four schools including: Lady Hastings, Robert Wilkinson, Crossgates and Swinnow Primary School.
The workshops have been delivered after school hours, during lunchtimes and curriculum time and on selected dance camps, with students working through a mixed programme of choreography, arts and dance theory and performance in contemporary and musical theatre dance.
Working through accredited log books the programme has been tailored to cater for mixed abilities to make the award achievable for everyone, working through different dance styles and the chance to create routines for audiences.
Dance Development Officer Nicola Booth commented:
“We are delighted to be able to reward over 120 young pupils with the Arts Award at Explore Level and pass the first block of students through the programme.
“The students have worked incredibly hard putting in 12 hours of learning time to complete the award, everyone on the programme has been a joy to work with this year and we hope that this award gives them the foundations to take the next step in their dance career.”
Based on the success of the first cohort of students on the programme Leeds Rhinos Foundation will be offering students who have passed the Explore Level a chance to study the next stage of the Arts Award with the Bronze and Discover Award levels along with continuing to offer the Explore Level award to school groups and Rhinestones members who haven’t had chance to take part to date.
Booth added:
“Our vision for the rest of 2016 and into next year is to continue to work with different groups within the community alongside our Rhinestones Academy to deliver the award around the school curriculum and with a series of dance camps.
“The programmes take a fun and relaxed approach to the award to try and inspire pupils to be creative and enjoy studying the subject alongside performing and choreographing routines and above all to encourage people of all abilities and dance experience to have a go.”
Last night, all 126 students received their award as part of a presentation at Headingley Carnegie Stadium in the Premier Suite as further recognition and reward for their success.
For more information on registering your school or organisation on the Arts Award Programme contact Nicola.booth@leedsrhinosfoundation.org