Essentially Dancing teaches children from five years and up ballroom and Latin dance in PE lessons. More than 2,500 children took part in a pilot scheme in 29 schools in April and May this year.
Dance instructors including Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova from the BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing' programme trained 52 teachers and classroom assistants to lead pupils through the cha-cha, waltz, jive and quick step.
Researchers from Roehampton University in London evaluated the impact of the teacher-training scheme and found that children were more engaged in physical activity and their behaviour improved after taking part in the structured dance lessons.
The report said that shy children gained self-esteem and relations improved between boys and girls who worked together as partners.
Dr Jeanne Keay from Roehampton University said, 'The response to the Essentially Dance pilot programme was overwhelmingly positive, and it clearly has the potential to make a huge impact on all children's learning.'
The scheme, funded by the Aldridge Foundation charity, is designed to meet the Government's Every Child Matters outcomes on health, enjoyment and achievement targets to reduce childhood obesity, as well as Key Stages 1 to 5 provision for physical education.
Deborah Salsbury, a PE teacher at Southborough primary school in Bromley, Kent, one of the settings involved in the pilot, said, 'The Essentially Dance scheme has benefited the children on so many levels and has taught them discipline and respect.
'At first the boys didn't want to get involved - they saw it as "uncool" - but now they really enjoy it.'
FURTHER INFORMATION
Schools can sign up for the scheme at www.essentiallydance.com
