DTAP and Trinity College London launch a new Diploma in Dance Teaching & Learning (Children & Young People)

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A new national qualification – The Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning focussing on working with children and young people – has successfully gained accreditation from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and is now available to the dance sector through the international examinations board Trinity College London.

The diploma was initiated by The Dance Training Accreditation Partnership (DTAP), a major dance sector-led strategic initiative. DTAP brings together a consortium of leading national organisations committed to building capacity and removing barriers to participation in dance outside of formal education, by people of all ages and abilities. The new diploma has been developed by DTAP with Trinity College London and awards 90 credits at Level 6 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) which is the comparable level to a BA (Hons) Degree.

Trinity College London, was awarded the contract to develop the diploma in response to recommendations in the 2008 DTAP Report by Susanne Burns. The report recognised that major intervention was needed to enable the dance sector to keep up with the demand for high quality teaching of children & young people outside of formal education. The diploma represents the response of a consortium of leading industry bodies to fill this gap in the market.

The diploma is the first of its kind:

  • Designed for practitioners working outside of formal education with children and young people
  • Developed at the request of the major national dance organisations and led by Youth Dance England on behalf of DTAP
  • Providing evidence to employers and parents / carers that a dance practitioner has the expertise to teach children and young people
  • Relevant and accessible as part of continuing professional development
    Providing  90 credits at Level 6 of the national Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
  • Available through independent study, professional guidance or taught courses.

Linda Jasper, Director of Youth Dance England who led on the delivery of the new Diploma as a member of DTAP, commented that “Children and young people love to dance and there is a growing need to meet their demands for a larger qualified work force. This diploma provides a benchmark for dance artists and practitioners, who are already working, or would like to work, with children and young people beyond statutory education. Youth Dance England as part of the Dance Training and Accreditation Partnership is firmly committed to supporting this industry led qualification for the benefit of children and young people, parents/guardians and employers.”

As part of the process of developing the Diploma, in late 2009 it was piloted by a number of organisations and individuals around the country. Jo Rhodes, an independent dance artist based in North West of England was the first artist to take the diploma as part of this pilot. She stated that: “Being a candidate on the Diploma for Dance Teaching and Learning (CYP) was a really useful process to go through in terms of the development of my own practice. It offered structured opportunities to reflect on my delivery of dance to young people in a variety of settings, and encouraged peer observation and review. It enabled me to further understand the theories that underpin the practical application of dance.”

Potential candidates can register for a programme of study towards the Diploma offered by a number of centres around the UK, and should contact the relevant organisation directly for more information. These are listed on the Trinity College London webpage detailed below. However, candidates need not be following a formal programme of study to take this qualification and can put themselves forward for independent assessment.

Organisations wishing to find out more about how they can become training providers or registered centres should contact Trinity College London directly on the email address below.

Further details can be found at www.trinitycollege.co.uk/DDTAL or by emailing dance@trinitycollege.co.uk