Dance academy set to offer Wirral teenagers a new direction

Jan 20 2010 by Laura Sharpe, Bromborough and Bebington News

STUDENTS will soon be able to re-ignite their studies and careers thanks to Wirral’s first dance-based ‘Entry to Employment’ performing arts course.

Millington’s Dance Academy, which already operates in Bootle, Liverpool, has decided to bring its unique approach to Wirral.

Fully government funded - Millington’s at Birkenhead’s Masonic Hall will help teenagers at risk of dropping off the education or employment ladder.

Many teenagers will be referred to the academy via agencies such as Connexions or their schools – in the hope that learning dance and drama will help them into new careers.

Coveted dancer and teacher Sharon Hodgin, head of e2e, said: “I’m from Wirral and have a private dance class in Claughton but there’s nothing like the Bootle dance academy.

“Young people in Wirral have the opportunity to learn trades such joinery and plastering but there’s nothing around dance and performance.

“The academy will provide three-days of dance and drama alongside basic skills such as maths and English, helping them to get on a course and find their direction in life.”

The demanding Learning and Skills council-funded programme gives students the chance to flourish and take steps to carve out a career in and outside the world of dance.

This includes a hugely successful 28-week entry to employment course which sees students of both sexes put through a packed three-day schedule each week culminating in an end of year show for parents.

And after learning dances ranging from jazz, hip hop, slow dance and salsa and drama, year after year the majority are going on to take more advanced two-year BTEC courses in the subject with many getting dance-based careers.

Sharon added: “This has been the pipeline for over a year so I’m delighted this has been extended to Wirral.

“Over the last 8 years I’ve seen so many success stories, how the course has turned around people’s lives and helped them either into the performing arts world or employment or further training.”

The college will be officially opened by Dame Lorna Muirhead, the Lord-Lieutenant for Merseyside on Wednesday.