The Delight in Dance programme

In 2019, we were approached by Delight about working collaboratively to devise a new Delight in Dance programme aimed at year 3 and 4 primary school children at selected primary schools in Surrey, Hampshire and Croydon.

Find out more about the project on the Delight website here.

The Delight in Dance programme uses dance and movement as a way of learning how to build a story. The programme is designed to strengthen children’s educational and social outcomes along with encouraging participation in dance. It is aimed primarily at children who may not usually engage with their local library service, and encourages them to find out more about the imaginative possibilities of the library space.

Children begin the programme by watching a professional dance performance called The Story Detectives. After this, they work together with Katie Green, performers from the show and a team of other Delight in Dance teachers to create their own response to The Story Detectives. At the end of the half term they perform their own work for their friends and family, celebrating everything they have learnt.

“I loved the Dance Detectives experience. I found it so fun…it was a fantastic performance and I loved working with my friends.”

The Delight in Dance project was devised in 2019, originally created at Guildford Library, and developed through collaboration with year 2 children from Weyfield Primary School, Guildford. It was developed in 2020 with support from the Heathrow Community Fund and the National Lottery through Arts Council England. 

Creative team

Directed by Katie Green

Choreographed and performed by Amarnah Amuludun and Hannah Rotchell (2019), joined by Megan Griffiths and Chloe Mead in 2020, and Katie Albon in 2023

Writing: Anna Selby

Original Composition: Max Perryment

Design: Chloe Mead

Additional design consultation: Lucy Starkey

Developed in consultation with Kathryn Mills and Jessica Clarke from Delight.

About Delight

Delight is a leading arts-based learning charity, using the transformative power of the arts as a catalyst to bring long-term change. Their vision is for every child to have equal opportunity to thrive during their school years and beyond.

Their innovative arts-based learning programmes creatively develop children, increase engagement in education and improve confidence, resilience, and well-being.

Every year, they engage with approximately 1,800 children from 28 primary schools across Surrey, bringing them a diverse range of artistic experiences that ignite their imagination and open doors to new possibilities.

A group of primary school children perform their Villain dance in front of a blue backdrop covered with silver stars. The children all reach forward strongly with their arms, and they all wear black villain capes trimmed with yellow.
A group of school children perform their heroes and villains dance in their school hall, for an audience of their friends and family. They are all dressed in red with blue capes if they are heroes, or in blacks and greys if they are villains.
A group of school children rehearse their heroes and villains dance in their school hall with two of their teachers, all caught up in an imaginary battle between the forces of good and evil.
“I loved learning the dances and being a character. I found some of the dances tricky but kept practising. I will carry on dancing in the future.”
Participant feedback,
"It feels like when you are dancing you can be free."
Participant feedback,
"The children absolutely loved the performance and were mesmerised by the dance movements of the two brilliant artists. The overall experience was thrilling, enjoyable and most importantly, extremely interactive."
Teacher feedback,
"One pupil in particular hardly said a word in class previous to the project, however during the workshops and back in class afterwards would be truly engaged and confident in his ideas. He was proud of what he had achieved and was setting new targets and goals for himself – it was really lovely to see this development."
Teacher feedback,
“The children loved writing their stories, suddenly reluctant writers (especially some of the boys) knew what to write about. The dance structure guided them and gave them space for their own stamp and imagination. The whole process of writing a story became easier and faster.”
Teacher feedback,

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