27 August 2024
It was seven fantastic days of CPD activity led by our expert teaching teams. It was an opportunity to connect with other members from around the world, network with lecturers and examiners, as well as having the chance to participate in additional morning and evening activities.
It was great to be back in Chichester, to enjoy the sense of community, camaraderie and enjoy all things dance together.
The week in numbers:
- 7 days of courses
- 285 CPD hours
- 172 teachers - from 13 countries (UK, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Channel Islands, Greece, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, USA, Italy, UAE, Netherlands)
- 20 lecturers and lead lecturers
- 1291 meals served throughout the week
- 200 good bags
We asked attendees, lecturers and our Director of Education to tell us what they thought about the week:
It was such an honour to be able to lecture at this year’s Summer Programme. To be back in a studio and working with so many wonderful teachers was just incredible. I have always strived to increase the awareness of the importance of CPD, and the feedback received throughout the week made it clear that members were really embracing and appreciating all that the planned courses and lecturers had to offer. CPD is so much more than just expanding knowledge and learning though. It was just joyous to engage with likeminded people and share experiences in person. Be sure to get yourself booked onto your next regional course!
Jessica Morgan Beale – Lecturer
Being residential for the week not only provided fantastic opportunities for learnings, but to also engage in wonderful conversations with likeminded teachers, reconnect with old friends and make new ones, as well as having powerful conversations with lecturers and examiners about the work and the industry.
Kim Rogers – Attendee
Being back in the Studio, learning and recapping the work directly from the creators and lecturers was fantastic. Their knowledge is going to massively enhance us as teachers, and their
passion for dance was infectious. To be able to dance and bring our copious notes to life! The studio atmosphere was buzzing – you just can’t recreate that online.
The friends I have made this week really excelled the courses. To be around like-minded people, to share ideas, and to be so encouraged and supported. Teaching can be a lonely job, so the connections made this week are so incredibly valuable. A lot of hard-work, and a lot of fun was definitely had.
Laura Veazey - Attendee
The community feel at Chichester 2024 was brilliant and it was wonderful to reconnect with likeminded friends, lecturers and connect with new teachers attending for the first time. CPD is so important, whether it is learning a new syllabus for the first time or refreshing content previously learned, the lecturers aim to cater for all. The new Advanced 1 Tap syllabus is fantastic and was delivered wonderfully by the whole tap faculty. Refreshing my knowledge of Inter Foundation Contemporary and learning the Advanced 1 syllabus was wonderful. Having the ability to stay on site and socialise with everyone throughout the day and into the evening creates the community feel we need as dance teachers to support one another.
I have missed Chichester so much since COVID took it away, but I would recommend to all teachers to attend. I have been to Chichester annually since 2009 and can’t imagine not attending. Having the opportunity to dance for yourself and becoming the student learning again reignites the passion that made us become teachers in the first place.
Katherine Werrell – Attendee
What a great week we had at Chichester Summer Programme 2024! It was so inspiring to see teachers interacting, exchanging learning practices and having fun together. We had great lecturers delivering useful sessions with lots of teaching strategies to take away – the sun was shining too!
We are now busy reviewing evaluations and giving some thought to future CPD opportunities. For those who were unable to come, we are planning more CPD, in both the U.K and internationally.
Don’t forget that the next opportunity for theatre to come together as a community will be at the 120 Congress on Saturday 2 November. Thank you for your ongoing support!
Louise Molton – Director of Education
Find out more about upcoming CPD and book your place today.
