We're launching
Future Dance Teachers
courses at Vinnies Dance & Theatre School,
starting November 2026!
FDT is an Accredited Leadership Programme, designed to help dancers gain confidence, communication skills and leadership skills, with real-world experience in a safe, structured learning environment.
The FDT programme will help our students to become:
⭐ Confident Assistants ⭐ Inspiring Role Models ⭐ Future Leaders
FDT courses have been created at 4 levels, tailored to meet where the dancer is at in their leadership journey, and allowing a progression of learning.
Introduction to Assisting; Confidence and Connection; Learning to Lead; All Age Teaching
From age 14+, students assist in younger classes, gaining practical experience.
For ages 11–13, the Learning & Observation pathway at level 1 and level 2 follows the same course structure, but focuses on learning within their own classes.
Due to child work permit regulations, students under 14 do not assist in classes. Instead, they build their knowledge in communication, class structure, and the role of a teacher, preparing them for progression to the next level and for assisting once they turn 14.
How FDT works:
Our course at Vinnies will run from November 2026 - July 2027. Any assisting hours our students have already done this term can be included, and our students will gain their awards by the end of the academic year.
At the start of the course students will receive the FDT workbook for their level. This is used in the group mentoring sessions which are guided by the Vinnies teachers. The workbook covers all the training required for their accreditation (ages 14+ also have to complete their assisting hours).
The group mentoring sessions will be arranged each term on the availability of the students and teachers. The recommendation is four 90 minute sessions over the course, however we may split some of these into shorter sessions run over a couple of weeks, depending on student / hall availability.
Students aged 14+ are required to do a minimum of 30 minutes assisting per week (averaged over the course).
There is no homework! Everything you need to do is completed within the assisting classes and mentoring sessions.
At the end of the course, the student will receive a CPD-accredited certificate. This internationally recognised award is a valuable addition to their CV, college application, or future employment portfolio - and shows commitment to training and personal growth.
(Please note: FDT is not a teaching qualification, but it equips students with life skills that they can carry with them into their future careers - read on to find out more...)
They don’t have to become a dance teacher...
Future Dance Teachers might start in the dance studio, but the skills students develop can go with them wherever life takes them.
🎓Communication
🎓Leadership
🎓Responsibility
🎓Teamwork
🎓Initiative
🎓Commitment
🎓Real-life experience
Some of our FDT students may go on to become brilliant dance teachers.
Others might become nurses, lawyers, paramedics, business owners, therapists, teachers... or choose a career they haven't even discovered yet!
FDT isn't about choosing their future for them.
It's about giving young people the skills, experience and confidence to have more choices when they get there. Because leadership skills aren't just for future dance teachers. They're skills for the future.
Course Costs
Accredited training courses don't come cheap! However, the training and skills that the students will develop from the programme will last them a lifetime.
Vinnies will pay the initial course fee, and parents can set up a direct debit to Vinnies, splitting the cost into 10 monthly payments.
What the students get: Course Workbook, FDT t-shirt, 6 hours of mentoring sessions with the Vinnies teachers, CPD certificate on completion of the course, and transferable skills for life!
