Dance teacher
Teaching and Education

How to become a dance teacher

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• working towards this role

University

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.

University (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

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

College (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

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.

More info

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.

What it takes

Skills & Knowledge

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

Restriction & Requirements

You'll need to:

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

What you'll do

Day to day

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

Working environment

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

Career path and progression

Career path & 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.