Performance Projects
Sheffield Children's Festival Dance in the Plants
6 schools worked with Laura from ADC to create dances to perform as part of the Children's Festival.
The young dancers hard work was praised highly in the Sheffield Telegraph...
'Dancing amongst the plants 7 Sheffield schools emerged from the tropical undergrowth of the Winter Gardens to captivate an unsuspecting audience with their creative and beautifully performed dances.
Carfield primary kicked off the Children’s Festival event with travelling feet and tales of their adventures along the Ancient Silk Road from China to Europe. Ecclesall Infants braved the large crowds to wow the audience with their skilled silk scarf movements, while Norton Free’s military dancers attacked with their high energy combat dance. Beighton Infants scared away any timid audience member with their ferocious dragon dance. Halfway Juniors showed any aspiring builders what it takes to build the Great Wall of China and fast forwarding us to the present day Brook House Juniors polished machine dance brought the show to a grinding halt.
All 6 primaries, from the Points School Sports Partnership, worked with Laura Aldridge of Another Dance Company to create their imaginative performances taking us on a whistle-stop tour from ancient to modern China.'
Schools that took part said this about the project performance & working with Laura Aldridge:
“Excellent performance. Children thoroughly enjoyed the experience and their routine looked great!” Year 5 Teacher, Brook House Junior School.
“It was a huge success and I had a fantastic time there. Your dance lessons were fab and a good opportunity to learn dance. I think you are a great dance teacher and I hope you teach lots of other children to dance.” Year 5 pupil (male).
“Fantastic day out. The children really enjoyed it. Very positive feedback from parents and children.” P.E Coordinator, Norton Free Primary School.
Dance P.E.
KS1 Dance P.E. at... Ecclesall Infants.
Year 1 pupils experienced Indian dancing and torch based dance tasks in their Dance P.E. sessions with Laura.
Sessions were tied to the class' topic of Diwali and Light.
Pupil's looked at Indian Dance rhythms and hand positions and learnt some Bollywood movements.
"It was a very successful series of sessions. It is certainly something that could be tied in with topics more often. They gained a better grasp of rhythm ... they saw the culture from a different angle. The sessions met my expectations brilliantly."
Y1 Teacher, Ecclesall Infants School.
KS2 Dance P.E. at... Reignhead Primary.
Year 4 pupils created a dance looking at the Ancient Greek army through strong marching movements, weapon based freeze frames and non-contact combat partner work. Over 6 sessions the 2 mixed ability groups created a finished dance for a school sharing.
"Sessions were fantastic, children couldn't wait for the following week... allowed the children a chance to explore a role in character. A great mix of directed teaching and a chance for the children to create their own sequences."
Y4 Teacher, Reignhead Primary School.
After-School Clubs
Dance after-school clubs are currently run by Laura Aldridge & Another Dance Company in a variety of Sheffield Primary schools every week.
Dance after-school at... Woodseats Primary School.
Dance after-school clubs run once a week. 2 year groups come together for a session every week over a half-term.
Year groups across the school rotate over the course of the school year.
So far dancers at Woodseats have created dances and explored their movement ideas based on; the senses, pirates, shapes and the culture of Spain!
Pupils come straight from their classes to the club where they have the opportunity to have fun, keep fit, express their ideas, learn some new skills and make new friends in a friendly, safe environment.
At the end of a group's series of sessions parents are invited to watch their children's work at an informal sharing.
"The children really enjoy attending the dance club sessions. The sessions are fun, creative and well planned to link with the topics the children are working on in the classroom."
P.E. coordinator & Y 1 Teacher, Woodseats Primary School, Sheffield.
"My favourite part of dance club is learning a dance, making up our own moves, performing, and the teacher!"
Y4 participant.
Performance Project
at... Mossbrook SEN Primary School
Y5 & 6 pupils had a session a week over a whole term to create a dance piece for performance at a Movement Inclusion Festival.
Pupils enjoyed sessions moving to rhythms, creating their own movements and building up a full dance piece.
"The pupils now love dancing, they had little interest in it before. Laura opened their eyes to what dance can be. They have a new found confidence."
Year 6 Teacher, Mossbrook SEN School, Sheffield.
“Each session was full of vibrant energy and enthusiasm. The children were stimulated and inspired.”
Year 5 Teacher, Mossbrook SEN School, Sheffield.
"Thank you for coming to Mossbrook school... it made me feel really happy."
Y6 Pupil
