Cobourg and Charles Dickens Primary Schools
In the summer 2008 Siobhan Davies Dance worked in two Southwark primary schools to deliver a six week dance project supported by Creative Partnerships. The schools were part of the Enquiry Programme of Creative Partnerships that addresses the needs of the individual school through an Enquiry Question. Siobhan Davies Dance drew on the Primary Bank project for the method of delivery.
Both projects had a strong focus on developing the class teacher's understanding and confidence in dance to enable them to continue delivering dance sessions after the project ended with a cross curricular approach. Their involvement in the project was described as:
- Inspired
- Understanding
- Thought provoking
- Learning experience
- Exhilarating
- Journey
- Supportive
Cobourg Primary School – Years 3/4
Siobhan Davies Dance worked with each class to explore patterns found in the world around us. Dance material was created using a variety of stimulus, from spirals in seashells to diamond patterns in the school fence. We looked at how patterns in nature compare to the patterns in the built environment around us and explored how this made us move differently.
Charles Dickens Primary School – Years 5/6
The dance sessions at Charles Dickens school connected to their study of India. Patterns and textures found in Indian textiles and Rangoli designs were used to create movement. The textures and weight of different textiles helped the pupils to find different ways of moving such as smooth, rough, bumpy, stiff, slippery and soft.
“I'd never seen dance like this before. I really enjoyed doing it.” Yr 3 pupil Cobourg Primary
“I enjoyed inventing new things, just like we invent things in art.” Yr 3 pupil Cobourg Primary
“I enjoyed watching other children because it gave me lots of new ideas.” Yr 3 pupil Cobourg Primary
For more information on Creative Partnerships please visit their website:
