Postgraduate Certificate in Education:
Dance Teaching (with Qualified Teaching Status)

Faith Jackson

• Graduate

  

  I was incredibly excited to receive a place on the PGCE programme and to be able to study in such an inspiring and well-regarded institution; and my expectations did not disappoint. The programme included a range of modules, taught through both practical and theory sessions and all the staff were incredibly knowledgeable and had a wealth of experience. It was beneficial to apply theoretical concepts to practical sessions and as well as the two placement schools we had the opportunity to teach at. I was placed in an Academy specialising in Performing Arts and a Special Education school where the experiences were enjoyable and rewarding.

  I believe studying at the RAD fully equipped me for a career in teaching. I learnt the importance of organisation, planning effectively, time management and working with the staff at the RAD inspired me as a teacher through their high-quality teaching, support, and guidance. The course requires resilience and dedication and whilst there were many challenges due to the work required, I felt fully supported by the staff and tutors and they guided me to successfully complete the course.

  Since graduating I am now Director of Dance at an Independent School in Oxford. Being able to teach dance is incredibly rewarding; promoting the creative arts and enjoyment for the subject and seeing how dance can have such a positive impact. Studying at the RAD allowed me to achieve my chosen career path and I would recommend studying there to anyone who is interested in a career in dance teaching.

Giorgia Zinna

• Graduate

  

  I originally studied Physical Education and Dance at the University of Worcester, and while there, was fortunate to take on the role of contemporary captain and Chairwoman of the dance society, which allowed me to organise events, competitions and win awards and through this experience, I realised I wanted to continue teaching, so applied for the PGCE at the RAD. Although the year was tough and full of challenges, I loved the experience of teaching and going out on placements, where I taught across key stages 3, 4 and 5.

  Having graduated, I decided to work as a freelance dance teacher varying my experiences and teaching opportunities. At present, I am a registered RAD teacher preparing students for Pre-Primary – Grade 5 exams and I am also teaching IDTA cheerleading. I also teach recreational classes ranging from adult jazz, nursery classes, SEN dance movement, baby ballet, and street dance in an all-boys school and in the New Year, I will be working at a private school in the north of England, as a dance teacher and starting the first steps to completing my Early Career Teaching years.

Alisha Surtani

• Graduate

  

  I am a recent PGCE (with QTS) graduate, currently teaching dance and PE at a secondary school in London. I am Indian, but was born and raised in Hong Kong and moved to the United Kingdom to follow my passion for Dance and studied at the University of Surrey, graduating with a BA Dance Degree.

  I have taught dance in private dance schools across Hong Kong and various countries in Asia and specialise in contemporary and jazz dance, however, I have also studied African and Bharatanatyam Dance.

  After performing, choreographing and teaching in several dance academies in Hong Kong and Asia, the PGCE with the Royal Academy of Dance has enhanced my skills, as I gained further experience after completing two placements in contrasting schools in London. My first placement was at an International Secondary school in East London teaching GCSE and Key Stage 3 dance to students from different backgrounds and religions, which is of particular interest to me. My second placement was in London, and I taught Key stage 3, 4 and 5 dance, which brought me to understand the A-Level dance specification. The placement school had a high percentage of deaf students and SEN students, therefore broadening my teaching and differentiation skills.

  On completion of my PGCE, I am now an early career teacher (ECT) at a secondary school in London teaching dance and PE across the curriculum, whilst creating external theatre opportunities and internal performances, such as competing at the London Youth Games shortly and attending MOVE IT. I have recently completed my Zumba qualification which has furthered my dance teaching experience after school, as this is a particular passion. Once I have completed my two ECT years at a secondary school in London, I have the aspiration to live and teach dance in Asia to inspire students of different backgrounds and promote a love of dance.

Emily Nix

• Graduate

  

  I chose the PGCE programme at the RAD because of its reputation. I had talked to experienced teachers who had explicitly said that they would always hire students from the RAD because of the high level of training that the programme requires. As I was already based in London, I wanted to stay in the area, and looking ahead, I knew that there could be more opportunities for jobs in London.

  The most useful element of the programme was how much it demanded of you as a student and a teacher. It was tough, but ensured you were well prepared once you graduated and went into the real world. Every element required real detail, and it is designed in a way that you prove and improve your teaching multiple times.

  Over the course of the year, I learned that I am resilient, and that I genuinely love teaching. In the first week we were advised to  always ‘celebrate the little wins’ and that is something that stayed with me the whole way through, and I try to keep doing that now! By acknowledging every little win, I was able to appreciate everything that I was doing and learning even more.

  I am now teaching full time at an Academy in SW London, where I teach dance to KS3, GCSE and A Level students. The PGCE allowed me to become a teacher at an incredible school that has great opportunities for students interested in dance. Without the PGCE at the RAD, I absolutely would not be teaching where I am now. The course is not easy, but it is incredibly rewarding, and if you want to teach dance, the RAD is where you should study.