Dance teacher news: GCSE Dance results 2026

If you’ve had a phone buzzing with results messages this week, you’re not alone. GCSE Dance results landed, new figures showed where the arts stand in schools, and a Scottish dance venue got help to keep its studios comfortable. It’s a shorter round up this week, so we’ve added a September safeguarding tip at the end.

GCSE results day

GCSE results arrived on Thursday 20 August. Ofqual’s GCSE results 2026 at a glance says results are stable overall compared with 2025.

For dance, AQA’s provisional GCSE results statistics for June 2026 show 7,297 students sat GCSE Dance. Of those, 27.9% achieved grade 7 or above and 78.1% achieved grade 4 or above.

What this means for your school: many of your Year 11 regulars will have taken GCSE Dance. Congratulate them, and talk to families about next steps such as A level Dance, college courses or vocational training.

Arts subjects: a mixed picture

The Campaign for the Arts published its analysis of 2026 exam results on 20 August. Arts subjects now make up 10.0% of A level entries, a record low.

There’s some good news for us, though. More students took A level Dance this year. Because total entries rose faster, dance’s share still slipped slightly. At GCSE, the arts share has levelled off since 2023, after a long decline since 2010.

What this means for your school: these figures are a reminder of how much our classes matter to young people who love dance. It’s a useful point to share with parents who are weighing up whether to keep dance going through the exam years.

Comfortable studios whatever the weather

Creative Scotland and the Scottish Futures Trust have shared £347,520 between eight organisations to help their buildings cope with a changing climate. Dance Base in Edinburgh received £57,556 for draught proofing, insulation and heating improvements, so its studios stay comfortable and usable for dancers. You can read more in Creative Scotland’s announcement of the climate adaptation funding.

What this means for your school: studio temperature is part of safe dance practice. After last week’s heat, it’s worth thinking about how your own space will feel in January, and talking to your venue if something needs fixing.

This week’s tip

With 1 September getting closer, it’s a good time to look at who helps in your classes. The DBS notice on the change to the definition of regulated activity with children explains what’s changing in England and Wales. Here’s a simple start:

List each assistant, chaperone and regular helper
Note how often they help with children
Note whether any of it is overnight, such as competition trips

A quick review like this shows parents you take their children’s safety seriously. If you’d like a friendly hand, our partner BDSA has published a members update on the Crime and Policing Act 2026 changes. It sets out practical steps for dance studios. This is general guidance, not legal advice. If you’re unsure about a particular role, check gov.uk or get advice.