What is the work like?
Dance teachers train and develop their pupils in all types of
dance. They work with individuals and groups of all ages.
In primary schools, dance is usually taught by the class
teacher. In secondary schools dance teachers usually also teach
other related subjects, for example drama, performing arts or
physical education.
Outside the state school system, you could teach:
- in private dance schools
- at colleges or adult education centres
- as a self-employed teacher, either working in places like
leisure or community centres, or running a small dance
school.
You could be involved in:
- training prospective performers
- teaching people to become specialist dance teachers
- teaching dance as a form of recreation.
You could teach many different forms of dance, such as ballet,
contemporary dance, tap, modern and ballroom.
You would need to be able to choreograph dances for your pupils,
and depending on the job, may also need to know about anatomy and
physiology and subjects such as the history of dance and dance
notation.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
The qualifications you need would depend on the type of teaching
you want to do.
State Schools
To teach in a state school you must have Qualified Teacher
Status (QTS). For more information see the Teacher profiles and
Training and
Development Agency for Schools and
Department of
Education Northern Ireland websites.
Private Teaching
Most dance teachers in the private sector are qualified to
teach a particular kind of dance, such as ballet or modern
dance.
To qualify, you would need a high standard of personal
performance and a teaching qualification from one of the recognised
associations, such as the
Royal Academy of
Dance or the
Imperial Society of
Teachers of Dancing. You can then be registered with the
association and enter students for its examinations.
Recognised associations are members of the Council for Dance
Education and Training (CDET). Once you are registered with one of
these associations your details can be listed in the CDET UK
Directory of Registered Dance Teachers and the online UK Database
of Dance Teachers.
You can study for a range of dance teaching diplomas and degrees
by distance learning, and also a Postgraduate Certificate in
Education in Dance Teaching (PGCE DT) that leads to QTS, through
the
Royal Academy of
Dance.
You could become a private dance teacher after a career in
performance. See the Dancer profile and the websites of CDET and
the National Dance Teachers' Association for information on
careers, qualifications and training in dance.
What further training and development can I do?
As a dance teacher in a primary school, secondary school or
college you can join the National Dance Teachers Association
(NDTA), which will give you access to:
- in-service training
- continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities
- networking opportunities
- teaching resources.
See the
NDTA website
for details.
If you are interested in making the arts more accessible to
people with disabilities, you could become involved in leading or
assisting in workshops run by Shape UK. You could do this either
freelance or as a volunteer, depending on your experience. Visit
the
Shape UK
website for details.
Where can I go for more information?
Old Brewer's Yard
17-19 Neal Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2H 9UY
Tel: 020 7240 5703
http://www.cdet.org.uk
36 Battersea Square
London
SW11 3RA
Tel: 020 7326 8000
http://www.rad.org.uk
PO Box 4099
Lichfield
WS13 6WX
Tel: 01543 308618
http://www.ndta.org.uk
Deane House Studios
27 Greenwood Place
London
NW5 1LB
Tel: 0845 521 3457
Minicom: 020 7424 7368
http://www.shapearts.org.uk
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning
adviser, call
0800 100 900 or
use our online
enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at:
www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Dance teachers' salaries vary according to the size and type
of the dance school.
Many dance teachers are self-employed, running their own
business or working freelance for several different schools. Income
varies depending on the amount of work.
Full-time teachers in state schools earn from £21,102 to
£30,842 a year (£26,000 to £35,568 in inner
London).
Figures are intended as a guide only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
In a state school, you would work normal school hours. However,
you may have some evening commitments, such as attending
rehearsals, performances or parents' evenings.
As a private teacher, you could have classes during the day and
in the evening, and sometimes at weekends.
In both types of teaching, you may work weekends when putting on
performances.
Your working environment could include classrooms, halls and
dance studios. Facilities can be quite basic in some venues.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good practical ability in dance and music
- an understanding of health and safety to prevent injury
- patience
- good communication and 'people' skills
- the ability to motivate people and encourage them to
succeed
- the ability to control groups of pupils
- business skills (if self-employed).
What opportunities are there?
You could be employed in state schools across the country, as
well as independent dance schools, colleges and dance studios.
As a private dance teacher, you would usually be self-employed,
either teaching classes in places like leisure or community
centres, or running a small dance school.
You could move from teaching into a related area such as
choreography or dance therapy.
