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Dance teacher

Alternative titles for this job include

Dance teachers train and develop their pupils in all types of dance.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 37 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a dance teacher

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • working towards this role
  • other routes for qualified teachers

University

You'll need a relevant degree in dance or performing arts. There are some degrees in dance that include teacher training. To teach in a state school you'll need qualified teacher status (QTS).

As a primary teacher, you'll train to teach all subjects and could develop a subject specialism in physical education, which may include dance or creative movement.

At secondary level you could teach dance as a single subject or combined with other subjects like physical education, drama or performing arts.

To be a lecturer in a university you'll need a postgraduate qualification or a recognised profile as a professional performer, along with teaching experience.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
  • 3 A levels or equivalent

More Information

College

You'll need at least a level 3 qualification in performing arts dance or higher, if you want to teach, for example in a further education college, as a sessional teacher in schools or in a private dance school.

You'll improve your chances of employment with a professional qualification from a recognised dance awarding organisation.

You can find out more from:

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Work

You could work your way into this role if you've got several years' experience in dance.

You could start as an assistant in a private dance school and do teaching qualifications with a relevant dance organisation.

The Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre has a list of approved awarding organisations.

Other Routes

If you're already a qualified teacher without dance subject knowledge, for example a P.E. teacher, you could take a course like a Level 3 Award in Supporting the Delivery of Dance in Physical Education and School Sport.

More Information

Registration

Career tips

You can search for jobs in schools through the Teaching Vacancies service.

If you have an interest in dance but do not want to train as a teacher you could consider dance fitness instructor training. You can find out more from EMDUK

Professional and industry bodies

You can join One Dance UK for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a dance teacher from:

You can also find out more about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of the fine arts
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to teach pupils how to do something
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You could:

  • show students how to warm up and move safely
  • demonstrate how to perform dance moves
  • design dance pieces and performances
  • keep records of students' performance and progress
  • provide feedback to students
  • assess students for dance exams
  • maintain your own dance skills and techniques

Working environment

You could work at a school, at a college, at a university, an independent training centre or in the community.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

In a school you could become a head of department or headteacher.

You could also move into choreography or dance movement psychotherapy, with further training.

As a private dance teacher you could develop your own business and run your own dance school.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a dance teacher right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Dance

  • Provider: TURTON SCHOOL
  • Start date: 10 September 2023
  • Location: Bolton

Dance

  • Provider: ONE SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2023
  • Location: Ipswich

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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