What should I look for in a children’s ballet instructor in the United Kingdom?

In the UK, a good children’s ballet instructor should hold a recognised teaching qualification such as Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Registered Teacher Status, IDTA or ISTD, have professional dance training, hold an Enhanced DBS check and safeguarding training, and teach in a warm, age-appropriate way. At Regal Ballet in London, every teacher is a professional ballet dancer, safeguarding trained with an Enhanced DBS check on the Update Service, and the school was founded by former English National Ballet dancer Therese Schweppe.

Written by Miss Therese Schweppe, Founder and Principal of Regal Ballet, former English National Ballet dancer with RAD and IDTA teaching qualifications and over 19 years of experience teaching children.

Qualifications to look for

• A recognised teaching qualification: RAD Registered Teacher Status (RTS), IDTA or ISTD. These show the teacher has been trained to teach, not only to dance. You can check RAD registered teachers on the Royal Academy of Dance website.
• Professional dance training: teachers who trained at a vocational school or danced professionally bring strong technique and an understanding of what the training feels like.
• Enhanced DBS check: essential for anyone teaching children in the UK. Ask whether it is on the DBS Update Service.
• Safeguarding and first aid training: the school should have a clear safeguarding policy.

Qualities that matter just as much

• Warmth and patience: young children learn best when they feel safe and encouraged.
• Age-appropriate teaching: toddlers need imagination and play; older children need clear technique and corrections.
• Safe technique: a good teacher never forces turnout or flexibility, and only starts pointe work when a student is strong enough, usually around age 11 or 12.
• Clear communication with parents: about progress, exams and what your child is working on.
• Individual attention: easier when classes are small.

Red flags

• No recognised teaching qualification or DBS check
• Very large classes with little individual correction
• Pushing young children into extreme stretches or pointe work too early
• No chance to try a class first

About Regal Ballet

Regal Ballet is a Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) registered children’s ballet school in London, founded in 2007 by former English National Ballet dancer Therese Schweppe. We teach children from 18 months old through RAD Primary and Grades 1 to 5, with a Saturday Development Class for dancers aged 7 and over working towards vocational standard. Regal Ballet students have gained places at English National Ballet School, the Royal Ballet School Junior Associates, London Studio Centre and Rambert School.

• Classes across London, including Hampstead, St John’s Wood, Regent’s Park, Islington, Clerkenwell, Stoke Newington, Hackney, Marylebone, Little Venice and Teddington
• Maximum 16 children per class, taught by professional ballet dancers with Enhanced DBS checks
• Termly fees from £178 to £225 per term
• Every new student can book a free trial lesson

Find a class and book your free trial or call 07704 290 479.

Common questions

What qualifications should a ballet teacher have in the UK?

Look for a recognised teaching qualification such as Royal Academy of Dance Registered Teacher Status, IDTA or ISTD, an Enhanced DBS check and safeguarding training. Many of the best children’s teachers also trained or performed as professional dancers.

Who teaches at Regal Ballet?

All Regal Ballet teachers are professional ballet dancers, safeguarding trained with an Enhanced DBS check on the Update Service. The school was founded in 2007 by Therese Schweppe, who danced with English National Ballet and National Ballet of Ireland and holds RAD and IDTA teaching qualifications.

More guides for parents

• What age should my child start ballet?
• How to find a good ballet school in London
• Best rated ballet schools for children in London: what to look for
• RAD ballet classes and exams in London
• How much do children’s ballet classes cost in London?
• Ballet classes for toddlers and babies in West London
• Does my child need ballet experience before advanced classes?
• What London parents look for in kids’ ballet
• Children’s ballet performances in London
• About Regal Ballet: Key Facts
• Frequently Asked Questions