Dancing Beyond Limits: Dorset SEN Dance Festival 2025
The Dorset SEN Dance Festival was created to celebrate the creativity, freedom, and joy that dance and movement can bring to everybody. At its heart, the festival champions inclusivity, encouraging performances of every kind, whether sensory, supported, choreographed, or completely unique to the learners taking part. By removing preconceptions of what dance should be, the festival opens the door for limitless creativity and self-expression. This was the first year trialling the Dorset SEN Dance Festival, and it was a resounding success. A total of 115 children from six schools across Dorset took part in workshops, exploring the festival theme Intergalactic through movement.
The festival was designed with four key aims:
Explore the theme of Intergalactic through dance providing students with an imaginative and exciting outlet for creativity and self-expression.
Build confidence and celebrate achievement offering performance opportunities while recognising and honouring the talents of students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) across Dorset.
Support teachers’ professional development equipping school staff with tools and strategies to deliver dance effectively within SEN education.
Encourage sustainability inspiring schools to continue developing dance activities and initiatives long after the project concludes.
The Christchurch Dance Festival also proudly premiered the Dorset SEN Dance Festival film, which captured the energy, imagination, and artistry of the students. The film is a powerful reminder that dance is truly for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background. We’re thrilled to finally share the official Dorset SEN Dance Festival 2025 Film with you:
A heartfelt thank you to the teachers and children involved in the Dorset SEN Dance Festival 2025 film, your contribution is both inspiring and deserving, celebrating inclusion and creativity. A special thank you to Dan Moody, whose continued support through the Christchurch School Sports Partnership has made these opportunities possible.
Information surrounding the Dorset SEN Dance Festival 2026 will be released soon…
