MP Hillier calls for improved regulation of dance teaching

Published Tuesday 6 March 2007 at 13:15 by Nuala Calvi

Labour MP Meg Hillier has proposed a bill calling for better regulation of dance teaching and the establishment of clear standards and models of good practice for the sector.

Introducing the ten minute rule bill, Hillier praised the National Council for Dance Education and Training and The Stage benchmark scheme for contributing to the safety of the growing number of young people taking up dance.

However, she said the lack of a single national standard of qualification for teachers made it difficult for parents who took their children to dance classes to be sure that their child was in safe hands.

She added: “Many schools and youth agencies struggle to find teachers with the necessary skills and qualifications. Employers can be confused by the array of dance qualifications which do not clearly highlight which teachers have the skills and qualifications necessary to teach safely, in line with current child protection standards.

“We need to make it easier for people to know what they are buying into, as well as ensuring that professional development is improved.”

Hillier said the rise in the popularity of dance, with 4.8 million people now participating in community dance and hundreds of thousands more attending private dance schools, leisure centres and school clubs, had not been matched by an increase in the number of qualified teachers.

“We need to make sure that we do not lose the chance to get people involved, that high-quality teachers are available who can safely inspire and engage young people, and that this growth in popularity continues,” she warned.

Dance UK said it welcomed the bill and hoped it would mark the beginning of a new era of raising awareness about dance in parliament, following the launch of the All Party Parliamentary Dance Group.