Corby dance school says thank you to the NHS

Members of an Irish dance school have put their best foot forward to show their support for the NHS and key workers.

Ray Chambers runs the Chambers Academy of Irish Dancing in Corby but when the country went into lockdown, he had to find a way for his students to keep dancing.

As a science teacher at Sir Christopher Hatton Academy in Wellingborough, he had the skills to move his classes online and the virtual sessions seem to be going well.

Ray, 33, said: "I started the Chambers Academy of Irish Dancing last year and it grew and we have just over 30 dancers attending across the three classes including adults.

"Unfortunately due to the outbreak of the virus, we had to close our doors and this has meant that many of our dancers had nothing to do.

"Thankfully, due to my knowledge of ICT I’ve managed to move all of my classes online.

"As a teacher I want my dancers to continue their passion and to develop their love for it and I’ve arranged online video conferences with the parents to discuss improvements.

"We’ve even set up a google classroom where dancers can submit videos of them dancing and they get critiques and feedback on how to improve from me."

As well as online classes, Ray asked the dancers to contribute videos saying thank you to the NHS and other key workers and this video is now available to watch on YouTube.

Ray said: "We decided to do this because there are parents, adults and children who have family who are key workers.

"So many people are clapping but also some of these NHS and key workers don’t get to hear it while they’re working.

"When they get their breaks, they may log onto social media and see a positive thank you message.

"We’re hoping that in these tough times that the videos will make them smile and cheer them up."

When lockdown is over, Ray's dance classes will resume at the Hazelwood Neighbourhood Centre, Brooke Weston Academy and St John Baptist Church in Corby.

But for now, it's all online

He said: "It’s been a challenge at times, over the last week or two I had been preparing for the worst case scenario.

"I started videoing my dancers doing their choreography in class in preparation for shutting down classes based on how the rest of the world had been dealing with the COVID 19 outbreak.

"Thankfully, being a computer science teacher has allowed me to use my skills to make sure that I can reach out to all dancers and ensure that no dancer is left out."

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