Arts Council's private dance schools research

If you’ve ever felt that private dance schools are overlooked, this week brings some welcome recognition. Arts Council England has published new private dance schools research, the first national picture of our sector. There’s also a new partnership for our partner BDSA, and a strong case for children’s dance made in Liverpool.

Arts Council England maps England’s private dance schools

On 1 October, Arts Council England published Understanding England’s Private Dance School Sector, a national study by researchers at the University of Bedfordshire. One Dance UK’s report that Arts Council England publishes research into the private dance school sector sums up the headlines.

The national mapping identified 5,229 private dance schools working with children and young people in England. Ballet is the most common style, offered by 42.5% of providers, followed by tap and jazz. Almost 30% of provision is in the 30% most deprived areas of England. The research also shows how much we rely on families: 94% of providers who answered the survey earn income from class fees, and only 16% get any grant or public funding.

There’s good news on safeguarding too. 53% of providers said they felt very confident in their safeguarding practice, and 39% said they felt confident. Providers also asked for clearer national guidance, which is a positive sign of a sector that wants to keep raising standards. Our partner BDSA was part of this work: its Chief Executive, Neil Harrison, sat on the External Reference Group that guided the research.

The smallest and most informal classes are hard to find. So Arts Council England calls the research a strong baseline rather than a complete record. It comes with an interactive map, and roundtables and webinars will follow.

What this means for your school: this is evidence of the value of what we do every week. Have a look at the map, and see how your area compares.

BDSA becomes a CIMSPA Training Provider Partner

Our partner, the British DanceSport Association (BDSA), shared some good news on 30 September. It has become a Training Provider Partner of CIMSPA, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity. CIMSPA is the UK’s professional development body for the sport and physical activity sector.

BDSA says it will align its education and training with CIMSPA’s recognised standards. It will also seek individual accreditation for its courses, with more details in the coming months.

What this means for your school: it’s good news for coaches, volunteers and teachers who train with BDSA, and it helps place dance alongside the wider sport and physical activity world.

Making the case for children’s dance

On Sunday 27 September, One Dance UK’s Laura Nicholson spoke at a cultural sector roundtable in Liverpool. One Dance UK’s report on how it brought children and young people’s dance to the roundtable explains her argument. Every child should have access to a rich creative life, whatever their postcode or family income. She also warned that dance mustn’t fall between policy areas, because it sits across art, creativity and physical activity.

“Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn’t,” she said.

What this means for your school: it’s a line many of us will recognise from our own studios, and it’s being heard where decisions are made.

This week’s tip

DBS fees come down on Monday 5 October, with an Enhanced check dropping to £41. DBS confirmed this when it announced it reduces fees for checks and the Update Service. It’s a good moment to book any checks your team needs. Our guide to the DBS changes for dance teachers explains what they mean for your studio. While you’re at it, look up your school on BDSA’s National Dance Safe Register. Listing is free, and you can claim your school’s record. Accredited schools are assessed against BDSA’s Safe Dance Standard, which includes Enhanced DBS and Children’s Barred List checks, child protection policies and first aid. This is general guidance, not legal advice. If you’re unsure about a particular role, check gov.uk or get advice.