New specialist dance course for Scots secondary PE teachers offered

Dance Studio Scotland, the dance department at Glasgow Clyde College (GCC), has launched a specialist course aimed at secondary school P.E teachers, in the aim to better prepare pupils who wish to study dance at a higher level. 

Dance Skills for P.E Teachers, which is the first course of its kind in Scotland, aims to upskill current P.E teachers across the country and close the skills gap in dance tuition, whereby few teachers are able to confidently teach a variety of dance disciplines to students at school level. 

Up until now, dance has been taught in schools at a variety of levels and often by non-specialists. Dance Skills for P.E Teachers, which is available at two different levels, is a two-year evening class that equips staff with the skills and knowledge required to deliver two dance genres together with underpinning theoretical knowledge. 

The course aims to build teacher confidence and support the delivery of dance lessons in P.E classes across the country. 

Maxine Railton, Curriculum Manager at Dance Studio Scotland said: “We’re really pleased to be able to offer this course to Scottish P.E teachers. Having the right level of skill to teach the arts is so important, particularly at an age where pupils are making important decisions about their futures. 

“We want to make sure dance education is provided at the highest quality, and having existed for more than 25 years, Dance Studio Scotland is uniquely placed to provide exactly the kind of support and training that’s required to stimulate and encourage young people who are interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts.” 

The course, which kicks off in August, is available to study at SCQF Level 7 and 8, with five units covered in each. Find out more about Dance Skills for PE Teachers here.