GTCNI PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BURSARY:
FINAL REPORT PROFORMA
Miss Cassandra Willis
BelfastModelSchool for Girls
SECTION 1:
I recognised the growth of opportunities within the field of dance, along with the need for more vocational & practical based subjects to be offered in our school.
I felt that I needed to develop my professional expertise in this area further to enable me to introduce and deliver a GCSE Dance course effectively.
I therefore decided to undertake a Dance Teacher Training Course (OCN verified), and also attend an AQA GCSE Dance INSET course.
SECTION 2:
As a result of undertaking these courses I have increased my subject knowledge, understanding & expertise greatly. I have developed skills in choreography and the teaching of dance technique necessary for delivering effective dance sessions. I have developed improved teaching methods and strategies for teaching dance within CorePE, Dance exam classes and Primary schoolPE lessons.
I have produced new schemes of work and lessons for GCSE Dance, A level Performing Arts, Year 13 Enrichment course in Dance, and the Key Stage 3 dance program within CorePE. I am also intending on developing extended extra-curricular dance activities in my school and in local schools.
SECTION 3:
As a result of undertaking the training course my pupils will now be offered a more complete dance course at all levels. I will be able to pass on the valuable skills and understanding of dance that I have gained. Lesson will be more specifically aimed at developing pupils creative skills as well as their team work and problem-solving skills. Pupils will experience improved instruction in dance technique and will learn how to choreograph meaningful dances based on appropriate and educational stimuli. They will have increased performance opportunities and will experience positive evaluation & reflection sessions, all aimed at raising self-esteem and self-confidence.
SECTION 4:
I hope to increase the numbers of pupils taking GCSE and A Level Performing Arts Dance and enable an improved pass rate in these through more effective teaching of the subject content. I also hope to increase the number of pupils participating in physical activity through dance in both my school and local primary schools.
I intend to evaluate the success of the new Key Stage 3 dance program through questioning colleagues teaching the new dance lessons and the pupils undertaking these, as well as comparing levels achieved.
SECTION 5:
I am now well equipped to share my experiences, skills and knowledge with colleagues in my department, school, local primary and secondary schools. I will be able to offer training and advice to teachers wishing to extend their knowledge of dance and its delivery. I am now working more effectively alongside colleagues to develop Dance as a subject within the school and beyond, with a view to extend our school status within the local community and also to gain specialist school status in performing arts.
SECTION 6:
Undertaking these training courses have enabled me to gain valuable insight and understanding into the requirements for delivering a successful dance curriculum as well as offering effective dance provision within my school and local community. I have further developed my own practical skills and understanding of dance as an academic subject, as well as developing my teaching skills and strategies. I am more prepared and capable of providing my pupils with the dance skills and understanding that they will require to achieve success in the dance courses I now offer.
As a result of my training, I have already revamped our Key stage 3 dance provision, developed appropriate schemes of work & enriched lessons for GCSE and A level dance, developed a new dance program for 6th form pupils, and created a new extra-curricular dance club at a local primary school.
I have gained valuable understanding of choreography and developed useful teaching skills for this. Choreography is an essential unit of the GCSE Dance Course, and I now feel I can deliver this confidently and much more effectively. I have also developed my understanding of and ability to teach Ballet and Hip-hop techniques. These provide the essential basic skills for modern dancers, which I hope to pass on to my pupils through more effective lessons, as well as extended extra-curricular activities, thus raising their performance standard. I have received, and have subsequently developed, valuable educational resources, which will aid my pupil’s understanding of Dance at all levels.
SECTION 7:
I hope to use the knowledge I have gained to create a dance-teaching course for beginners, which I can deliver to my pupils. The training of dance teachers is neglected area in Northern Ireland, and I feel that I could provide the skills needed for my pupils to take up this promising employment opportunity.
I would also like to offer this course to colleagues across the province, which could encourage other schools to introduce GCSE and A level Dance courses. This would also provide opportunities for other teachers to develop new teaching strategies and improve their ability to offer dance as a valuable tool for lifelong participation and physical well-being, to the children of Northern Ireland.
I hope to continue attending INSET courses in dance, as well as dance technique classes, to enable me to keep up-to-date with any developments in all areas of the delivery of the exam dance courses I offer.