Job Overview
We are looking for artists of any dance genre who are interested in working with children and young people to join us as Dance Teachers, Deputy Artists, Teaching Assistants, and Cover Teachers for our Creative Learning, Classes & Courses, and Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) Programmes. We are especially interested in hearing from individuals that will diversify our current teaching team and represent the children and young people we work with.
Classes & Courses are also looking for artists to teach adult dance classes for all levels, especially those trained in contemporary, ballet, or wider dance styles.
As a Dance Teacher for any of these programmes, you will take responsibility for planning and leading classes and have some experience teaching contemporary and creative dance and/ or facilitating dance projects in school to children and young people.
As a Deputy Artist or Teaching Assistant for the Creative Learning Programme you will support individual students who might need it and assist the teacher in the effective delivery of the sessions.
These positions are subject to satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. You can find out more about our DBS Policy HERE.
OUR PROGRAMMES
CREATIVE LEARNING
The Creative Learning Team at The Place are passionate about dance and learning. We are responsible for creating inspirational projects in schools, communities, and in our venue. Our work focuses on partnerships, the sharing of knowledge and expertise, aspiration-raising, and exploring ways in which dance can enrich learning and help change lives.
Within this team we are looking for artists to join our Partner Schools Programme team who have experience working in schools and community settings as well as those at the beginning of their careers who are interested in working as Lead and Deputy Artists.
The Partner Schools Project’s sessions take place at schools in blocks of 10 weeks in spring and summer term and engage Key Stage 2 children during school time (9:00am-3:30pm).
CAT
The Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) is a part-time pre-vocational dance training programme running on Saturdays 12:30-5:45pm and Tuesday evenings 5:30-7:30pm. Our CAT Programme specialises in contemporary, ballet, and creative studies, with a strong focus on peer learning, inclusive practice, and learning and industry connections. CAT students are 11-18yrs old and join the programme via admission workshops.
The CAT team are looking for talented and experienced artists with the necessary expertise to join their pool of Dance Teachers and Cover Dance Teachers.
CLASSES & COURSES
Our Classes & Courses team deliver a wide range of accessible high-quality dance experiences for the public of all ages to engage with. The programme supports the entire lifecycle of dance including Children and Youth Dance (CYD) Classes for ages 3-18, extensive Adult Classes, Professional Classes, and Over 60’s activity, alongside annual summer intensives and bespoke learning opportunities.
All classes are taught by industry leading artists and accompanied by professional musicians. The breath of dance styles, forms and levels is paramount to the audiences we connect with locally and nationally, providing open entry points for everyone at any age or level to participate and get dancing.
Classes & Courses is looking to expand our community of Cover Dance Artists for both our Adult Programme (evenings, Monday–Thursday and Saturdays) and our Children & Youth Programme (Saturday mornings).
PAY RATE & CONTRACT TERMS
The rates of pay will depend on the programme, as the rates differ depending on the responsibility within the teaching role and the length of classes. See sections below for each programme. These rates do not include holiday pay, which is paid on top of these basic rates, calculated at 12.07% of your earnings and paid alongside.
CREATIVE LEARNING PAY RATES
Lead Artist 1 hour class - £61.37 per class
Deputy Artist 1 hour class - £29.19 per class
Deputy Artist 2 hour class - £48.65 per class
CAT
Dance Teacher 1 hour class - £53.12 per class
Dance Teacher 1.25 hour class - £61.97 per class
Dance Teacher 1.5 hour class - £70.83 per class
Dance Teacher 2 hour class - £88.53 per class
CLASSES & COURSES
Dance Teacher 1 hour class - £43.66 per class
Dance Teacher 1.25 hour class - £50.94 per class
Dance Teacher 1.5 hour class - £58.21 per class
Dance teacher 2 hour class - £72.76 per class
CONTRACT TERMS
Contracts are issued on a casual basis, usually covering a 9-12-week teaching blocks, with a week break during the half term holidays in February, May and October. Occasionally, you may be offered one-off cover classes as needed if your availability allows it.
As part of The Place’s artist community, we offer ongoing CPD (Continuing Professional Development) opportunities throughout the year. If you're interested in teaching on our children and youth programmes, attendance at a day of training on
Sat 13 Sep 2025 is required.
ARTISTS INFORMATION EVENTS
To find out more about the different participatory programmes run at The Place, and see if you'd like to apply, please join us for refreshments and meet representatives from the Creative Learning, CAT and Classes & Courses teams who will give some more information about the different programmes here at The Place and how we engage with freelance artists.
To book your free place on one of these information sessions, please complete our booking form HERE.
The online event will take place via Microsoft Teams (the app for which you can download for free, or simply join through your browser). The in person event will be held at The Place, directions to which you can find HERE.
Online Event: Thu 10 Jul 2025 - 10:00am-11:00am
In Person Event: Thu 17 Jul 2025 - 6:30pm-7:30pm
CLOSING DATE
The application closing date is Mon 28 Jul 2025 at 12:00pm (noon). We reserve the right to close applications early depending on the volume of applications we receive and so we advise it is better to apply early (though we will not close applications before 21 Jul 2025 to allow interested parties to attend one of our artists information evenings).
For an informal chat about these roles to answer any questions you may have before applying, please email:
CREATIVE LEARNING
Maria Ryan, Creative Learning Producer
CAT
Vicky Evans, CAT Senior Manager
CLASSES & COURSES
Jessica Richards, Classes & Courses Programme Manager
INTERVIEW DATES
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an informal meeting with the department(s) they selected in their application to discuss the roles and opportunities.
These meetings will be scheduled throughout August 2025, though this is subject to change.
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA FOR CAT/CLASSES & COURSES DANCE TEACHERS AND CREATIVE LEARNING LEAD ARTISTS
KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of effective teaching and facilitation practices that support learner engagement, inclusivity, and positive learning outcomes.
- Knowledge of effective behavioural management methods and tools to promote a positive, respectful, and productive learning environment.
- Strong understanding of safe practice in dance, including injury prevention, appropriate warm-up and cool-down techniques, and creating a safe physical and emotional environment.
SKILLS
- Ability to apply innovative approaches in teaching, learning, and/or professional practice to support excellent teaching, pedagogy, and inclusivity.
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with artists, teachers, and the programme managers to support collaboration and programme delivery.
- Confidence in planning learning sessions with clear, specific goals that align with children and young people needs and intended outcomes.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Has experience working with children and young people with a range of needs and ability levels, adapting approaches to ensure inclusive and supportive engagement.
ATTRIBUTES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Builds and maintains positive relationships with other artists, teachers, and The Place staff to support a collaborative and professional working environment.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA FOR CREATIVE LEARNING DEPUTY LEAD ARTISTS
KNOWLEDGE
- Awareness of effective teaching and facilitation practices that support learner engagement, inclusivity, and positive learning outcomes.
- Some understanding of positive behavioural management methods and tools to help maintain a respectful and productive learning environment.
SKILLS
- Ability to support innovative approaches in teaching and learning that promote inclusive and high-quality experiences for all participants.
- Communicates clearly and professionally with artists, teachers, and programme managers to assist with collaboration and smooth programme delivery.
- Able to support the planning and delivery of learning sessions, with some understanding of how to align activities with children and young people’s needs and intended outcomes.
- Some experience assisting sessions with children and young people of varying needs and abilities, with an adaptable and inclusive approach.
- Some understanding of safe practice in dance, including how to support injury prevention, appropriate warm-up and cool-down routines, and the creation of a safe and supportive environment.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Holds a degree in dance or demonstrates equivalent knowledge and experience gained through professional, educational, community, or participatory settings.
ATTRIBUTES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Demonstrates a collaborative and supportive approach, contributing positively to relationships with artists, teachers, and The Place staff.
Summer Intensive | 2023 | Photo by Elly Welford
Key Responsibilities
CREATIVE LEARNING LEAD ARTIST-SPECIFIC DUTIES
- Plan and lead the delivery of creative movement sessions, either at The Place or in a school/community setting.
- Ensure that sessions encourage imaginative and creative approaches to exploring the theme provided for each class by the school teacher.
- Work collaboratively with the Deputy Artist and school teachers to create a welcoming, creative and supportive experience for participants.
- Encourage participation of school teachers to build their confidence of teaching dance.
- Ensure sessions are well-balanced and engaging include suitable warm-up exercises, creative/choreographic tasks and setting of material.
- Devise choreographic pieces that actively involve participants in the co-creation process.
- Provide encouragement and support to children and young people during performance days and festivals, and lead dress and technical rehearsals to ensure they feel confident and prepared.
- Coordinate with the Production Manager on technical aspects, including sound and lighting, for sharings and final performances.
- Report any safeguarding concerns promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Officer on site and the Programme Manager.
CREATIVE LEARNING DEPUTY ARTIST-SPECIFIC DUTIES
- Work collaboratively with the Lead Artist and school teachers to create a welcoming, creative and supportive experience for participants.
- Support the Lead Artist during sessions to ensure that workshops are fun, engaging and develop participants' creative skills.
- Provide additional support for children who require it to ensure workshops are accessible to all participating pupils.
- Work with the Lead Artist to explore imaginative ways that creative tasks can relate to the theme given to each class by the class teacher.
- Assist in devising short pieces with children and young people.
- Communicate any updates or issues as soon as possible to the Lead Artist and the Programme Manager.
CAT DANCE TEACHER-SPECIFIC DUTIES
- Deliver dynamic and engaging contemporary and ballet technique and creative studies classes to CAT students at The Place.
- Work collaboratively with the class musician and Teaching Assistant to ensure the students are fully supported.
- Support the Teaching Assistant with guidance and development of their teaching practice, supporting them to gain confidence in their role and provide constructive feedback where necessary.
- Provide feedback to students where necessary and attend and contribute to faculty meetings if required.
- Provide a safe environment for all students to thrive and work to their fullest capacity, ensuring safe practice, inclusive learning mechanisms and language are being used.
- Ensure the classes adhere to The Place’s Safeguarding Policy and report any concerns or disclosures immediately to the Senior Programme Manager.
- Log any pastoral concerns, observations, or logistical concerns with the CAT team after the sessions in person or via email.
CLASSES & COURSES TEACHER-SPECIFIC DUTIES
- Design and deliver engaging, level-appropriate dance classes that develop participants' technical and creative skills, and cater for various participants’ abilities and access needs.
- Include a clear and coherent structure in accordance with safe dance practice including a warm-up/cool down and technical exercises that develop participants' capabilities and competency in your classes.
- Incorporate ideas and always adopt a co-creative process to inform the work you deliver to participants.
- Work collaboratively with the Class Musician and Teaching Assistant to create a welcoming, creative and supportive class experience for participants.
- Complete participant registration and signing out process.
- For Children and Youth Dance (CYD) Classes, complete a pre-brief with the Teaching Assistant at the beginning of each term and weekly sessions that includes lesson plans and key aims and objectives, to ensure they are equipped to support the session and any participants with bespoke requirements and access needs.
- For CYD classes across the term, support the Teaching Assistant with guidance and development of their teaching practice, supporting them to gain confidence in their role and provide constructive feedback where necessary.
- Log any pastoral concerns, observations, or logistical concerns with the Classes & Courses team after the sessions in person or via email.
- Attend half termly Classes & Courses meetings set by the Classes & Courses team.
COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY
- Communicate with other artists, participants, partners, children, and young people in a friendly, patient and supportive manner.
- Communicate any updates or problems as soon as possible to the relevant teams at The Place.
- Communicate effectively and in a timely manner with relevant teams at The Place.
Other Duties
- Where required, respond quickly and calmly to any occurrences of disruptive behaviour, first aid needs, or emergencies by alerting the onsite Designated Safeguarding Officer.
- Be a positive role model by dressing and behaving appropriately (e.g., wearing correct dance wear, not using explicit language, and not performing any dangerous or inappropriate movements).
- Attend any training opportunities organised by The Place as required.
- Attend the cross departmental Continuing Professional Development (CPD) day on Sat 13 Sep 2025.
- Adhere to health and safety and statutory requirements in line with The Place’s policies, especially the Safeguarding Policy and the Health and Safety Policy.
HEADER PHOTO CREDIT
Youth Dance Platform 'Project Female' | 2025 | Photo by James Keates
