Dance Teacher/Lecturer

Dance Teaching in Schools

To teach in state schools it is necessary to hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This can be achieved by either studying for a degree in dance followed by a one year teacher training course called a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education), or by studying for a Bachelor of Education degree with QTS, specialising in a subject area such as Physical Education and Dance. The universities of Bedford, Brighton, Exeter, Liverpool John Moore’s, Middlesex and the Royal Academy of Dance offer a PGCE in Dance. Middlesex University and Liverpool Hope University College offers a PGCE in Performing Arts where dance can be combined with Drama or Music. PGCE’s in Physical Education normally include Dance.

Visit www.ucas.ac.uk for information about courses leadig to QTS, or see Dance! Education Training and Careers, published by National Resource Centre for Dance: www.surrey.ac.uk

As well as UCAS, for teacher-training post graduate information go to the TTA (Teacher Training Agency) www.tta.gov.uk and GTTR (Graduate Teacher Training Agency) www.gttr.ac.uk

The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) is a scheme which has been introduced to offer employment based routes to Qualified Teacher Status. This programme offers graduates a salary whilst they work as a teacher in a school and train at the same time. Visit www.tda.gov.uk for further information

Case Study: Jasper Marriott

Jasper Marriott, Theatre Arts Teacher, Queen Elizabeth School, Kirby Lonsdale, Cumbria. Filmed: 24 January 2009

Dance Teaching in the Private Sector

This could include teaching in a private dance school, or a leisure centre as a self-employed teacher. Most teachers in this sector have qualifications to teach in specific dance styles such as ballet, tap or modern dance and will have taken the teaching examinations of a Dance Awarding Body such as the Royal Academy of Dance, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, or British Council of Ballroom Dancing. The Royal Academy of dancing offers a degree in teaching classical ballet. Teachers in the private sector offer a range of examinations for children and young people as well as teacher training programmes leading to teaching qualifications. The Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET) has the UK Directory of Dance Teachers which lists dance teachers who are registered with one of the four approved Dance Awarding Bodies. The CDET website has further details of vocational courses leading to teaching qualifications (for the private sector only)