Join the Folk Education Network
Membership of the Network, and attendance at many of the Folk Education development events, is free.
The Folk Education Network is the national networking group for folk arts educators from across England and beyond. It was established by the English Folk Dance and Song Society in 2011. The growing Network is committed to promoting high quality folk arts education, and to supporting the practitioners who deliver it.
It exists to provide peer information and support, and to encourage dialogue with the wider worlds of culture, learning and participation. The FolkEducation Network also offers other organisations a platform through which to consult, or inform, a committed group of folk arts educators.
The FolkEducation Network is for all practitioners involved in folk arts education in any context including those working in schools, with youth groups, in adult learning and/or community settings. Although aimed at folk arts educators in England, practitioners from across the UK and beyond are welcome to join.
I'm very impressed by the strength and breadth of knowledge shown by the many passionate, talented and dedicated folk music practitioners. It feels like, while there may be challenges ahead for traditional education, there are many great educators ready to take things on board!
Pete Taylor, Singing Project Coordinator, Sheffield Music Hub
Folk Education Development Events
We run FREE Folk Education Development Events and low-cost conferences. These are dedicated events packed with professional development opportunities, information sharing and networking. They are now taking place in real life again, at different locations around the country. The events are for anyone who is working in or interested in folk arts learning and participation.
We also run some shorter online discussion sessions.
Upcoming Folk Education Development Day: Teaching Folk Dance in Schools and Beyond
Saturday 4 March 2023
11am–5.30pm (with refreshments and networking from 10.30am)
Cecil Sharp House
£20 | £15 concessions (includes tea & coffee – lunch available to purchase from Cecil Sharp House on the day)
Join us for this lively practitioner development day presented by our Folk Education Network and Dance Development programmes.
Focusing on teaching and facilitating folk dance in schools and community settings, we will explore what high quality practice looks like in these settings, and what resources and training are available to support folk dancers.
For folk dancers with some experience or interest in teaching, the day will comprise practical workshops, presentations, and discussion.
Whatever style of folk dance you are teaching, or aspire to teach, the workshops will be packed with transferable skills and ideas for you to take into your own practice!
Video keynote: Laura Nicholson, Head of Children and Young People’s Dance, One Dance UK (subject association for dance in schools and lead for U.Dance national youth dance programme) will share with us what high quality dance with children and young people in and beyond school looks like.
Workshops:
- Creative folk dance with children (7–11 years): Laura Connolly, English clog dancer and early years and primary dance educator
- Creative folk and street dance with young people (11 years +): Natasha Khamjani, street dancer, dance artist, and Co-Artistic Director, Folk Dance Remixed
- Creative South Asian folk dance for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND): Anusha Subramanyam (in partnership with Akademi, South Asian Dance UK)
Places are limited.
Folk Educators Open Space
Various Wednesday evenings, 8–9pm
Online
Free
A drop-in hour facilitated by Folk Education Network member, David Brookhouse, for everyone involved in folk arts education. Join with others to share thoughts, experiences and challenges of working during the pandemic.
Find out more, view upcoming dates and book
Past Events
Read about our recent and past eventsArchive: Past Folk Education Development Events
Join the Folk Education Network
Membership of the Group and attendance at the Folk Education Development Days is free. As a member you can access the members’ only Facebook site, which allows you to share good practice, advertise job opportunities and get in touch with other members.
To register, please visit the Folk Education Network Facebook page facebook.com/groups/folkeducators
For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Membership of the Folk Education Network, and attendance at many of the Folk Education development events, is free.
The English Folk Dance and Song Society (Registered Charity no.305999) is committed to paying the costs of running the Network.
