RADiate

RADiate provides subsidised inclusive dance classes with specialised Dance Artists, to children with additional learning needs. The project works with children and young people on the autism spectrum, those with behavioural, emotional or social difficulties, and those with learning difficulties. This includes children with PMLD, with medical conditions and those who are non-verbal. RADiate sessions take place in both mainstream and SEND focused Primary schools in and around London, and at the RAD headquarters.

Aim

RADiate sessions aim to engage children and young people through dance, movement, music and sensory props, and to develop their physicality and boost their self-esteem. Each session is created to respond to the individual needs of the children. The Dance Artist works alongside the school staff to engage and encourage each child using ideas based on class topics, or led by their interests.

Objectives

RADiate works to achieve it’s aims by:

• planning and delivering fun, creative and sensory dance activities on a weekly basis, underpinned by a coherent structure.
• enabling children to work alongside their peers and support staff to reach their full potential.
• working in partnership with the school staff to ensure that children make progress at their own pace in a supportive and motivational environment.
• recruiting a small team of highly-experienced Dance Artists, who attend termly CPD and who are assessed at regular intervals to ensure all expectations are met.

Many of the children find it difficult to engage in group activities, however RADiate Dance Artists are experienced in using activities that will attract the children into the group, so that taking part becomes a fun experience. This is done in close collaboration with each school and the teaching staff, and with the families of the children attending classes at the RAD headquarters.

RADiate students benefit from:

• a non-verbal way to express themselves and their individuality
• tailored class development at their own pace, responding to individual physicalities
• the use of Makaton signing to support their language skills
• weekly classes that provide the opportunity to make gradual progress within the routine and structure of the class