A new Postgraduate Course has been declared open to teachers across Scotland and promises a step forward for dance as part of the national Curriculum for Excellence. The Postgraduate Course in Effective Learning and Teaching in 3 – 14 Dance was created in collaboration between YDance, Scotland’s national dance organisation for children and young people, and the University of Glasgow, and is funded by Creative Scotland.

The first of its kind, this 20 credit course at Masters Level will support General Teaching Council (GTC) qualified teachers working in Scottish schools, who have little or no training in how to teach dance, deliver a rounded subject which falls under expressive arts and physical education.

For the first time educators will be able to achieve an SCQF Level 11 qualification covering the fundamentals of dance education, allowing them to develop the skills and knowledge needed to teach dance lessons in line with the experiences and outcomes of the Curriculum for Excellence and allow students to develop socially, emotionally, physically and artistically through dance.

Anna Kenrick, YDance Artistic Director said: “Dance is growing in popularity in Scottish schools and the introduction of the Postgraduate Course in Effective Learning and Teaching in 3 – 14 Dance is an important step to ensure our young people receive the best possible dance education in school, just as they do for any other Curriculum subject. For years YDance has been working to support teachers deliver quality dance in school and is very excited to be leading on this important new development.”

YDance will run the Postgraduate Course in Effective Learning and Teaching in 3 – 14 Dance this autumn in the Highlands and again in Glasgow, January – March 2016.  Places are limited to 15 in both areas and are free to applicants thanks to funding from Creative Scotland.

Joan Parr, Head of Creative Learning at Creative Scotland, said: “Creative Scotland is pleased to support this new development and is committed to ensuring that all children and young people have access to high quality dance teaching in schools. Through the ‘Dance Sector Review’, priority areas were identified, one being to improve the quality of dance offered in the curriculum. We believe that YDance working with a cohort of committed teachers will contribute significantly to fulfilling this goal.”

Applicants have until Monday 31 August 2015 to apply for the course in the Highlands and until Monday 2 November 2015 for the Glasgow course. More information about the course and downloadable application forms are available from www.ydance.org.