INTERNATIONAL DANCE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION International House, 76 Bennett Road, Brighton BN2 5JL

The objectives of the Association are to promote and foster the art of dancing in all its forms and to uphold the highest ideals of the dance profession. To consider and advise government departments, local authorities, educational establishments and any other interested organizations on all matters relating to activities in dance performance, training and education.

The Association is a member of the British Dance Council, the Council for Dance Education & Training, the Central Council for Physical Recreation and the Stage Dance Council International. It is a member body of the World Dance & Dance Sport Council and has been a leading authority in establishing dance in many countries through its resident members.

The examinations of this Association have been included on the various curriculum agencies of the Department for Education since 1982. It has been an Awarding Body since that time and continues to work in co-operation with the Qualifications & Curriculum Authority to continue its status.

Originating in 1903, the Association has developed syllabi and techniques to provide qualifications to the highest standards and any person so qualified is competent to teach worldwide.

Further details of the IDTA on idta.co.uk

The IDTA General Dance Programme for Physical Education in the National Curriculum

The General Dance Programme (GDP) is a specification for dance which is intended primarily for use when teaching dance in the education sector and covers all aspects of delivering dance tuition to meet National Curriculum Attainment targets at Key Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The GDP offers complete lesson plans with aims, objectives and learning outcomes suitable for OFSTED inspection. Through study of the GDP, school pupils are given access to the variety of dance styles and techniques which are offered for examination by IDTA and recognised as pivotal to the dance industry world-wide. It is to be hoped students will be enthused and excited by the study of new dance techniques in school and be encouraged to continue developing their expertise by attending dance classes as a hobby or extra-curricular activity within their local community.

GDP lesson plans all include cross-curricular links which can be developed by the dance teacher or class/subject teacher to enhance knowledge and understanding of other curricular areas and provide an awareness for the pupil of the relevance of dance in many aspects of society. There are homework assignments to accompany each lesson plan and extension work for more able students. Pupil workbooks have been developed for use at each key stage and provide a user-friendly portfolio of written evidence of dance study.

Annual interim assessment of pupils are made by the dance teacher and reported to parents by certification. At the end of each Key Stage pupils are invited to enter for the full end of Key Stage Assessment Award which will be assessed and certified by IDTA.

Further details of GDP available on idta.co.uk - Children's Pages- Dance in the National Curriculum.