Leading a Thriving and Flourishing Dance Department

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Leading in dance can be both exciting and challenging. However, it’s no secret that leading dance in your school comes with its challenges and complexities. The curriculum is intricate and there are shortages of qualified dance specialists and you’ll bear the responsibility of recruitment to dance, maintaining a position for dance in your school, promoting the subject, achieving excellence in outcomes and for supporting the development of non-specialist teaching staff in dance. In this new course, we’ll consider what it takes to achieve excellence in a dance department and the pivotal role of the Head of Dance in maintaining this excellence. Delegates will take away practical and actionable strategies on how to tackle day-to-day challenges, develop the team and work towards a shared strategic vision. Whether you are currently a Head of Dance or aspire to hold such a position, this course is designed to cater to your interests and needs, unlocking the tools and insights to lead with confidence and success.

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BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

• Consider what makes a dance department excellent, and the role of the Head of Dance in achieving excellence.
• Look at ways in which a Head of Dance can develop and improve teaching and learning within the department.
• Enhance your ability to lead, support and nurture non-specialist teachers in dance.
• Reflect on strategies for dealing with the challenges and making the most of the opportunities presented by a Head of Dance position.
• Understand the importance of key documents and processes including inspections, appraisals and observations.
• Look at innovative and exciting opportunities for students including partnerships and community events.
• Examine the importance of networking.
• Ensuring your curriculum is mirrored with extracurricular.

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PROGRAMME

Leadership and Vision: The Qualities and Skills of an Outstanding Head of Dance

10.00am

• Exploring the different skills needed to be excellent as a teacher, effective as a manager and inspirational as a leader.
• What is the position of dance within your school: variables, challenges and opportunities.
• Exploring what makes an outstanding dance department and how staff can collaborate to make this happen.

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Effective Techniques to Drive Department Improvement

10.30am

• Planning for accurate department self-evaluation.
• Evaluating your department and acting upon this effectively.
• Preparing your department for inspections – how can you make sure you are ready?
• Documents and paperwork- what is important and how to complete them effectively.

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Break

11.20am

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Outstanding Leadership in Teaching and Learning: High Expectations, High Challenge, High Reward

11.40am

• Implementing effective strategies to ensure a consistent and effective experience for all learners.
• Modelling outstanding teaching and learning.
• Developing curricula and schemes of work from key stage 3.
• Making effective use of assessment and data.
• Motivating all students.
• Selecting appropriate pathways for learners: recognising exceptional circumstances and balancing the needs of the student and school/college

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Lunch

12.40pm

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Creating the buzz

1.40pm

• Ensuring a stimulating, motivational and valuable learning experience in dance to attract and retain students into GCSE and A Level dance.
• Engaging interest outside of the curriculum.
• The super-curriculum: beyond the classroom and the curriculum.
• The importance of partnerships, networking and opportunities.
• Making your department stand out.

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Break

2.30pm

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How it Works: The Head of Dance

2.40pm

• Managing one’s time and workload: variables and the work-life balance.
• Planning ahead and finding time to do so.
• Challenges and how to deal with them.
• The life cycle of the Head of Department.
• Maintaining freshness and enthusiasm: professional and intellectual development.
• Supporting teachers of dance through different career stages.

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Plenary

3.30pm

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Depart

3.40pm