Background
Emerging research consistently highlights the positive influence of participatory arts, particularly dance, on physical and mental wellbeing. Dance uniquely combines physical activity benefits with emotional, cognitive, and social enrichment, fostering self-esteem, social connection, and emotional resilience.
The Royal Ballet and Opera’s Create & Dance programme is an innovative arts initiative designed to embed high-quality dance education within primary schools, aiming to support children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development through movement, storytelling, and creative expression.
This evaluation, conducted by Born in Bradford, explores the programme’s impact across diverse school settings within Bradford, a city characterised by significant socioeconomic and cultural diversity.
Method
A qualitative, multi-method approach was adopted involving nine Bradford primary schools. The evaluation methods included classroom observations, creative participatory focus groups with children, Ripple Effects Mapping with teachers, and semi-structured interviews with RBO partners. Data were analysed collectively using the pen portrait technique.
Research Aims
The evaluation aimed to:
- Examine the impact of Create & Dance on children’s wellbeing and identify broader impacts.
- Evaluate the implementation within Bradford primary schools, identifying factors influencing its effectiveness.
Key Findings Relating to Wellbeing
Confidence and Joyful Participation
Observations and feedback consistently showed increased pupil confidence, engagement, and joy in participating in dance activities. Children moved from initial apprehension to enthusiastic involvement, boosting self-esteem.
Social Connection and Collaboration
The programme successfully fostered an inclusive environment promoting teamwork, empathy, and social connectedness. Pupils actively engaged in creative collaboration, enhancing peer relationships and emotional intelligence.
Embodied Expression
Create & Dance provided a unique outlet for creative, autonomous self-expression, allowing pupils to explore and communicate emotions and ideas through movement, enhancing their overall wellbeing.
Enhanced Learning
The programme enriched children’s broader educational experience by integrating creative learning methods into the curriculum, resulting in increased engagement, enjoyment
and learning.
Wider Implementation Insights
Teachers, initially hesitant, benefited significantly from professional development opportunities provided by RBO, leading to increased confidence and competence in delivering dance-based curriculum activities.
The adaptive and inclusive approach of Create & Dance effectively addressed varying pupil needs and school contexts, particularly in schools with diverse ethnic profiles and higher deprivation levels.
Conclusion
The Create & Dance programme demonstrated substantial positive impacts on children’s wellbeing, social skills, creative expression, and overall school engagement. Its flexible and inclusive nature makes it a valuable model for embedding arts education within primary schools, particularly in diverse and disadvantaged contexts. The findings should be used to advocate for integrating creative health programmes into national and local strategies for child wellbeing and education.
