News
CAT
We have been awarded government funding to lead a major initiative aimed at gifted and talented young people in our region.
The Music and Dance Scheme is a national scheme for exceptionally talented children aged 8–19. The scheme has identified partners across the country that can deliver Centres for Advanced Training (CATs), resulting in us being awarded funding to deliver the dance CAT for our region. The intention is for us to develop a programme centred around enthusiastic, committed and talented young dancers, so that the best talent in the East Midlands can be developed and nurtured in the most appropriate way for the young people concerned.
There is a broad range of CAT models operating around the country and we will now enter a research stage to establish how best to deliver the remit. We will now enter into an 18-month intensive research stage that will reflect on how models of best practice work, explore and engage suitable partners for delivery, devise a curriculum and ultimately recruit students for the first term, which we hope will be in Autumn 2009.
For more details on the CAT programme visit www.dcsf.gov.uk/mds or keep an eye out on our website for more information in the future.
Regional Development Plan (RDP)
Investment in Young People and Dance withinin the East Midlands.
We have undertaken an RDP for the East Midlands, which was completed in December 2007 and has been developed in response to Youth Dance England’s 2-year initiatives, Dance Links and Next Steps. To download the RDP click here.
Aims of the RDP
• To create a plan for the development of Youth Dance from March 2008 for a further 3 years
• To identify the Exit Strategy for the continuation of the work initiated through funding made available for Next Steps and Dance Links.
The key objectives towards creating a regional development plan are to:
• Drive forward the impacts that dance can have on a young person’s physical and psychological wellbeing.
• Work across sectors to champion research, learning outcomes and produce effective evaluation documentation.
• Raise the profile and standards of a young person’s artistic, learning, social and technical dance skills, providing comprehensive progressions routes.
• Implement a regional Youth Dance framework, with young people at the heart of it’s thinking, reflecting and building on current practice.
• Work with cultural partners to recognize where the regions hotspots are for improving the health and wellbeing of young people.
• Drive forward the recommendations outlined within the East Midlands Youth Dance Audit (April 07)
Nicola Freeman is our Youth Dance Co-ordinator working closely with Vanessa McGuire (our Learning Manager) to deliver the young peoples programme. For advice and support about Youth Dance contact Nicola on 0115 9410773
