New term, new faces at the barre and a brand new timetable on the noticeboard. It’s been a big week for safeguarding too, with new DBS rules and the launch of the BDSA Dance Safe Register. It’s all good news. Here’s what happened and what it means for your school.
BDSA launches the Dance Safe Register
Our partner, the British DanceSport Association (BDSA), launched its Dance Safe Register on 1 September, timed to match the DBS changes. BDSA’s launch announcement for the Dance Safe Register says it contains 14,307 dance schools across the UK, covering 85 dance genres. That makes it the largest database of UK dance schools put together so far.
Each school is shown in one of three categories:
- All Schools: listed from public information, not yet claimed or verified
- Accredited: identity, safeguarding and disclosure checks completed
- Enhanced: extra checks on teaching qualifications, professional or awarding body status, and safeguarding across the wider teaching team
Parents can use it to make informed choices, and teachers can show their commitment to safeguarding and good practice.
What this means for your school: BDSA encourages every school to claim its record, update its details and start the accreditation process. It’s a simple way to show families how seriously you take their children’s safety.
The new DBS rules are now in force
From 1 September, section 139 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 is in force in England and Wales. It removes the supervision exemption. Now, people who teach, train, care for or supervise children often enough, or overnight, are in regulated activity. That’s true even when someone else supervises them.
The September 2026 version of Keeping children safe in education also came into force on 1 September for schools and colleges. That’s useful to know if you teach in schools as well as your own studio.
BDSA’s Dance Schools and Studios membership includes a DBS checking service, which makes BDSA a handy route for dance teachers.
What this means for your school: if you’ve reviewed your helpers’ roles, you’re in a great place. If not, this week is the perfect time. This is general guidance, not legal advice. If you’re unsure about a particular role, check gov.uk or get advice.
A new degree for experienced dance teachers
Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) and the ISTD announced a new BA (Hons) Professional Dance Teaching and Education on 1 September. It’s a Level 6 top up degree, validated by NSCD and delivered by ISTD Academy from September 2027. It isn’t tied to one dance genre.
What this means for your school: if you’ve been teaching for years and want an honours level qualification, here’s a new route to think about.
A royal honour for Christopher Wheeldon
On 3 September The Queen visited the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) as its Patron. She presented choreographer Christopher Wheeldon with the RAD’s Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award. It’s the RAD’s highest honour. During the visit, The Queen watched a piece by Warren Carlyle from the RAD’s new Musical Theatre syllabus.
What this means for your school: a lovely story to share with students, and a reminder that the RAD’s Musical Theatre syllabus is there if you’re looking to widen your offer.
This week’s tip
Put a short safeguarding note in your first newsletter of term. Tell parents who your safeguarding lead is and how to raise a concern. Families notice these things, and it builds trust from day one.
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