Figure 1.--A British reader reports that dance classesses are disappearing from the state primary schools, but that some private prparatory schools which make a point of maintinging an effort to enrich the curriculum with arts programs.

I believe that dance instruction was available in British schools similar to that described for America. Younger children were give some basic interpretive dance classess. Older children were given some basic ballroon dancing classess. This varied from school to school. We have few details at this time. An English reader writes, "We had 'Music and Movement' lessons at my primary school. This was broadcast by BBC schools radio from the 1940s through to the 70s. As the classes were run by your ordinary class teachers they would rely on the radio broadcast to provide the stimulus. Both sate and private schools took advantage of these broadcasts." A British reader writes, "I have a friend who does dance/movement work with children who says fewer and fewer schools give time to this as the demands of the National Curriculum put it low on their prority.

Dance Program

I believe that dance instruction was available in British schools similar to that described for America. Younger children were give some basic interpretive dance classess or more of an expressive movement experience. Older children were given some basic ballroon dancing classess. The dance program varied from school to school. We have few details at this time. Greater attention was given to dance in the 1940s-70s than is the case today. Many schools would bring in outside dance specialists. In fact some local authorities employed a “dance co-ordinator” for all of the schools in their region.My friend says that children in state schools tended to be more creative and less inhibited in these classes than in the more formal atmosphere of the private schools and this is reflected in the clothes they wore for dance--although there are exceptions in both cases.

Music and Movement

A British reader writes, "We had 'Music and Movement' lessons at my primary school. This was broadcast by BBC schools radio from the 1940s through to the 70s. As the classes were run by your ordinary class teachers they would rely on the radio broadcast to provide the stimulus. Both sate and private schools took advantage of these broadcasts. The broadcast has probably asked one pupil to be chosen to show in body language "defiance" or "pride" or something and the rest "accusation". Then the programme would ask the teacher to change the scene - here perhaps to the boy trying to escape the crowd or something.Sometimes music would be used to provide the stimulus. I never recall any formal dance lessons--as indicated the emphasis was more on "movement". These lessons always took place in the school hall, as seems to be the case here as few schools had a gym. As you point out we always took off our shoes and socks to save the floor from damage. This was the same for gym lessons."

Changing Emphasis

A British reader writes, "I have a friend who does dance/movement work with children who says fewer and fewer schools give time to this as the demands of the National Curriculum put it low on their prority. The most work she gets is in private schools who advertise an emphasis on music and dance as well as the academic subjects. The pictures here are of her work at a boys prep school - they are working on "space travel" and weightlessness - always a favourite. Again the emphasis is on movement rather then dance.This school did have formal dance lessons - but with another specialist and out of school hours.In contrast to the state school they also have a proper gym--but the teachers only let them take off their shoes which my friend found annoying as ties and socks inhibited movement (e.g. slipping on the floor). Many children who do dance/drama now do it in groups not connected to the school, normally run in church halls in the evenings or at weekends."

Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web chronological pages:
[The 1900s] [The 1910s] [The 1920s] [The 1930s] [Thw 1940s] [The 1950s] [The 1960s] [The 1970s] [The 1980s] [The 1990s] [The 2000s]

Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web style pages:
[Kilts] [Caps] [Sailor hats] [Lederhosen] [Sailor hats]

Created: January 30, 2004
Last updated: February 5, 2004