SCHOOLS OUTREACH – CAMBRIDGE

“To inspire all with the creative and glorious disciplines of the arts”

Bodywork set up the programme in 2005 after identifying that many young people in and around Cambridge found themselves excluded from the performing arts due to transport or financial difficulties. The aim of Outreach is to involve as many young people in performing arts as possible from the city and its surrounding areas.

Through our team’s hard work, since 2005, participation in the programme has tripled, and continues to grow. Our teachers currently work with over 500 young people every week within Cambridgeshire, teaching a variety of dance classes from Ballet to Street, Contemporary to Jazz.

About the Outreach Programme

We believe that Dance should play an important role in helping develop personal and physical health, fitness and well-being. It extends the range of choices available to children and teenagers to encourage them to take up and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. We are committed to sharing our love of dance with as wide an audience as possible. We believe that young people gain a great deal more than dance technique and improved levels of fitness through this type of training. By encouraging and enabling young people to realise their own and each other’s potential, they will raise their levels of achievement, self-esteem and confidence.

We believe that every young person has the right to participate in arts activities that will develop their creative potential in a safe and supportive environment. Our highly trained teachers are committed to engaging and educating the young participants, while ensuring that each child works to the best of their ability. We are able to adapt our lessons for all learning styles and abilities.

In 2012, the ‘Cultural Education in England’ review, recommended that Performing Arts should be recognized for teaching “intellectual rigor and practical skills” to children, rather than merely as a “nice to have” add-on, or as part of a more far reaching School Improvement Programme.

“The skills, which children acquire through Dance, help to develop their personality, abilities and imagination. Allowing them to learn how to think both creatively and critically and to express themselves fully” – Darren Henley, author ‘Cultural Education in England’, 2012.

The creative and artistic opportunities offered by dance enable children and teenagers to express themselves and to communicate their internal thoughts and beliefs with others. Dance can also provide a context in which they can develop a better understanding of themselves and improve their self-esteem.

To that end, the Outreach Programme provides a platform that allows young people to develop co-operative learning, a chance to be creative, an understanding of a healthy lifestyle and a genuine passion for the energy of dance.

We believe that no-one should be denied the joy of dance and the performing arts. The Bodywork Outreach Programme aims to give this opportunity to everyone, making dance truly inclusive.

In an industry which is continually evolving, our teachers stay up-to-date with current teaching methods through Continuous Professional Development training (CPD) e.g. dance techniques and child safety practices. Recognising the importance of student safety, we require that all of our teachers carry an up-to-date DBS certificate, are first aid trained and are fully insured. All our teachers hold a valid child/adult protection certificate that fulfils the safeguarding outcomes as specified by Ofsted and CQC.

Additionally, all our teachers are professionally trained, and have commercial experience in their respective fields e.g. theatre, film and/or television. As our teachers excel in different types of dance, we always put great thought and effort into matching your school and your pupils with the best teacher. We aim to provide your students with high energy teachers who in return will be inspiring role models for your students. The partnership we have with our schools allows the Outreach Programme to provide an interesting and highly enjoyable learning environment for all.

As part of our Outreach Programme, we also offer Planning, Preparation and Assessment (PPA) cover. We are able to offer a wide range of dance from urban styles, to more classical contemporary dance and even ethnic styles. We are able to tailor P.E. and after school club sessions to the needs of the students and school. We can concentrate on increasing fitness, working towards a performance or just improving movement, co-ordination and confidence.

We also provide schools and clubs with choreographers who work with the kids throughout the year to develop their creativity and talent, and to organize performances. Since 2005, over 3000 children have taken to the stage at Cambridge’s fantastic West Road Concert Hall theatre, and since 2014, we are proud to say that we also use The Great Hall at The Leys Schools for our Outreach Programme show. Our “Reaching Out” show is an annual performance that all Outreach attendees have a chance to perform in. This performance is a spectacular evening celebrating dance.

The Outreach Programme offers classes in Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Street and Tap, teaching Beginners through to Advanced Levels. We are happy to provide schools with an introductory taster workshop to introduce students to the different styles of dance.

Head of Outreach: Nikki McGowan

Contact Us

Contact us today to book a taster workshop with one of our experienced, professional dance teachers!

Services we offer

  • Lunchtime clubs
  • After school clubs
  • E. sessions
  • GCSE dance classes
  • Dance sessions within the community
  • Adult classes
  • Workshops
  • Summer courses
  • PPA cover

Classes we offer

  • Jazz
  • Street/ Commercial
  • Contemporary
  • Ballet
  • Cheerleading
  • Tap
  • Musical Theatre
  • Bollywood
  • Choreography
  • Drama
“We would just like to say a big thank you for a fantastic evening at the showcase on Monday evening, great to see so many young people enjoying themselves and enjoying dance. Please pass on our congratulations to all who put the show together. On the journey home our young people were buzzing with excitement and satisfaction.

Once again, well done all.”

Mick Oliver, Sutton Youth Group Community Carts
“In September 2008 as Head of Dance at Comberton Village College I began using Bodywork Dance Company to provide after school dance opportunities for our students. During the five years the classes have proved to be so popular with our students we have increased from three classes a week to fourteen. Bodywork offer a full range of dance styles and teachers who are quality professionals caring, reliable and enthusiastic. The teachers regularly give additional time to support our Dance Showcases which have over a hundred dancers and run each term. The classes have increased the level of participation of students in our after school Programme and motivated the dancers to improve their level of fitness. In class the dancers are encouraged to work cooperatively with their peers and take responsibility as young leaders for organizing the dance pieces and the show each term. I can fully recommend Bodywork Outreach Programme to provide enjoyable, quality, motivating experiences of dance to students of all abilities.”
Mel Edwards, Head of Dance, Comberton Village College