Dance teacher

You'll need a relevant degree in dance or performing arts. To teach in a state school you'll need qualified teacher status (QTS).

As a primary teacher, you would be trained to teach all subjects, but may develop a subject specialism in physical education, which could include dance or creative movement.

At secondary level you could get the opportunity to 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, and teaching experience.

To train as a private dance teacher, you'll need to complete a recognised professional qualification. There are some degrees in dance that include teacher training.

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

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• search for conservatoire courses
• university courses and entry requirements
• funding for teacher training
• postgraduate teacher training courses

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.

You would also need a teaching qualification that is relevant to the level of teaching responsibility you'll have in your job.

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

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

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.

Registration

• you'll usually need qualified teacher status (QTS) to teach in a state school in England

Career tips

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

Further information

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

• Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre
• One Dance UK
• Get Into Teaching

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

You'll need:

• knowledge of the fine arts
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• knowledge of English language
• 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
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults

Your day-to-day activities will include:

• showing students how to warm up and move safely
• demonstrating how to perform dance moves
• designing dance pieces and performances
• keeping records of students’ performance and progress
• providing feedback to students
• entering students for dance exams
• maintaining your own dance skills and techniques

You could work in the community, in a theatre, in a creative studio or at a school.