Cost of Dance Schools
across the UK

# Dance Schools Accreditation Guide

The main UK trade bodies overseeing dance schools include the Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET), which accredits dance training programmes, and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), which offers internationally recognised qualifications and teacher registration. The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) similarly provides validated dance qualifications and maintains a register of qualified teachers. Additionally, some schools may hold membership with Ofsted if they operate as early years or childcare providers, or they may be registered with Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for safeguarding purposes. These bodies ensure standards of teaching quality, curriculum content, and child safety protocols, though it is important to note that not all dance schools are legally required to hold formal accreditation unless they provide childcare or operate as registered educational institutions.

To verify a provider's credentials, you should check their website for clear mention of accreditation, ask directly which bodies they are registered with, and independently confirm their status through official registers. The RAD, ISTD, and CDET all maintain searchable lists of accredited providers and registered teachers on their websites, which you can cross-reference. It is also worth asking to see evidence of teacher qualifications, DBS checks, and public liability insurance during initial enquiries. Accreditation matters because it indicates the school has met external quality standards, follows safeguarding best practices, and employs qualified instructors—reducing risk and giving you confidence that your fees are supporting properly trained professionals delivering structured, recognised tuition.

Accredited dance schools typically charge higher fees than unaccredited alternatives, with premiums ranging from 10 to 30 percent depending on location and specialism. This higher cost reflects genuine overheads: maintaining accreditation requires ongoing professional development for staff, adherence to detailed safeguarding and insurance protocols, and investment in