Reimagining Dance Education

Daniel Fulvio, Director of Community Partnerships?

At Rambert, every day we witness the transformative power of dance – not only as an art form but as a fundamental way of learning. Dance fosters creativity, builds confidence and connects individuals to their physical and emotional selves, unlocking new ways of thinking, moving and seeing the world.?

However, despite its undeniable benefits, dance education in England faces significant challenges. We welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the recent Department of Education’s Curriculum and Assessment Review, offering insights and solutions to help shape a curriculum that better reflects the needs of students, teachers and the evolving demands of the cultural sector.?

The current data paints a stark picture. Dance as a subject in schools has seen a dramatic decline over the last decade. More than 84% of schools do not enter any students for GCSE Dance – a startling figure when compared to the comparatively smaller declines in music and drama. Yet, dance remains one of the most popular out-of-school activities for children, especially girls, with 29% participating regularly, according to Sport England’s Active Lives survey. This stark contrast between demand and availability underscores a systemic issue.?

The reasons for this are complex. A key issue is the placement of dance within the PE curriculum, particularly at Key Stages 1–3. While dance shares certain physical and collaborative qualities with sports, it is distinct in its creative and expressive focus. This placement often leads to it being undervalued compared to more traditional sports. The lack of subject-specific teachers compounds this issue, with dance often taught by generalist PE staff who may not have the expertise to fully engage students in the art form.?

At Rambert, we see these challenges as an opportunity to reimagine dance education. It is a privilege to be at the heart of GCSE and A-Level dance education. Through our Rambert Classroom platform, we are offering essential support to teachers, ensuring they have the resources and training to deliver high-quality dance education.?In response to the depleting dance eduction provision, we developed a digital platform for and in consultation of teachers called Rambert Classroom. This platform offers teachers access to essential support, resources and training to ensure they can continue to deliver high-quality dance education.?

Since launching a year ago, Rambert Classroom has seen a steady increase in subscriptions from schools, and we are redefining how GCSE and A-Level dance education is delivered. This digital platform not only offers curated resources but also fosters greater engagement and creativity in the classroom. Drawing on Rambert company’s wealth of experience in creating and touring high quality artistic work and delivering life-changing education programmes nationwide, this platform provides teachers with the tools they need to deliver dynamic and inspiring lessons for their students.? ? ?

Inclusivity is at the heart of our vision for education. In 2022, we convened a series of Learning Hubs that brought together teachers, students, academics and community leaders to critically examine the historic repertoire currently on the AQA GCSE and A-Level Dance syllabus. A key finding was the need to diversify the curriculum to better reflect the lived experiences of students. The syllabus has historically been dominated by white, male choreographers, which does not align with the diverse identities that make up today’s classrooms. By incorporating works and choreographers from underrepresented groups, we can create a richer, more representative curriculum that inspires all students. We look forward to addressing this with AQA now that curriculum reform is on the agenda.?

In addition to content diversification, the Learning Hubs highlighted the opportunity to integrate critical frameworks such as feminist, queer and postcolonial theory into dance education. These perspectives allow students to engage with dance not just as a series of movements, but as a socio-political art form shaped by history, culture and identity. Such an approach fosters critical thinking and helps students understand the broader context of the art they study and create. We’ve already implemented these frameworks into existing study resources of Rooster and A Linha Curva, but this is additional study – curriculum reform has the opportunity to make it something that students could actually be examined upon.?

Our vision for the future of dance education goes beyond addressing immediate challenges. We want to ensure that the curriculum aligns with industry needs, equipping students with the skills and knowledge required for a wide range of careers in the creative sector. This means embedding practical, industry-specific skills alongside creative and theoretical learning. It also means exposing students to the breadth of opportunities in the arts – from choreography and performance to production and marketing.?

The decline in dance education is not inevitable. By integrating dance more fully into the curriculum, valuing practical skills, and fostering collaboration between schools, exam boards, and arts organizations, we can create a sustainable model that benefits all students. At Rambert, we are committed to making this vision a reality, ensuring that dance remains a vital part of education and an accessible pathway to creativity, connection and opportunity.?

To learn more about Rambert Classroom, click here or get in touch with Daniel by emailing [email protected].?

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