The government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review (2025) has delivered a clear long-awaited message: dance education matters and schools need more support to deliver it effectively.

For dance educators, artists, and advocates across the country, this recognition is a major step forward. For schools, it presents both an opportunity and a challenge and as we continue to expand our School’s Partnership Scheme, this moment could not be more significant. With schools preparing for the implications of the new review, the need for strong, confident, curriculum-aligned dance provisions has increased.

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How we can help schools bridge the gap

With a Phoenix Dance Partnership, you are guaranteed not only to deliver the minimum curriculum requirements but also to address all three facets of dance (performance, choreography, and appreciation) to a high standard. This aligns precisely with our approach: dance as a technical, creative, expressive, and analytical art form, accessible to all pupils.

The review acknowledges that the current PE curriculum highlights dance primarily as a physical discipline. However, schools are now being encouraged to broaden this to include creative and analytical skills:

“Within the PE Key Stage 1 to 4 Programmes of Study, Dance is primarly a physical discipline, focused on  movement and performance; other elements, such as choreography and appreciation, are absent.”

The report also highlights the popularity of dance among children and the need for teacher support:

“Dance is a popular activity with children and young people.. both Dance and PE stakeholders called for the curriculum to support teachers to better teach Dance through a clearer PE Programme of Study that sets out the subject knowledge required for a basic understanding of it.”

Our partnership supports schools to write and deliver high-quality dance Scheme of Learning as well as upskill teachers in the process. Crucially, it addresses the long-term impact:

“Access to GCSE Dance is often limited… because of limited curriculum provision at Key Stages 1 to 3.”

By partnering with us, we can help deliver high-quality dance within the school’s curriculum while also meeting other objectives through cross-curricular content. For schools wanting to improve provision, build staff confidence, and expand pathways into GCSE Dance, our partnership offers a ready-made, expert-led solution at an affordable price.

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What our Partnership Offers

Many schools struggle to meet national expectations for dance provision, with our partnership, we can help even more schools implement dance across the curriculum to a high standard and upskill school teachers to continue this going forward. Schools will receive a bespoke dance education programme tailored to their priorities, curriculum map, and pupil needs.

We can provide:

• Curriculum dance lessons linked to the school’s topics or PE objectives
• Written and delivered cross-curricular Schemes of Learning
• Creative performance projects and school productions
• Extra-curricular clubs and dance enrichment workshops
• CPD for staff, helping teachers build sustainable dance confidence and expertise

Additional Benefits for Partner Schools

Partner schools also gain access to unique arts opportunities that enrich pupils’ cultural experience

• Free tickets for pupils to our annual Spring Tour School’s Matinée
• Studio visits to our professional rehearsal spaces in Leeds
• Performance opportunities for pupils at our home theatre stage

These experiences are often transformational for young people, especially those who have never engaged with professional dance before.

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Inspiring the Next Generation

With dance explicitly highlighted in the 2025 Curriculum Review, the need for confident delivery has become a key priority, and schools are actively seeking support.

We’re here to help schools not just meet statutory requirements, but to embrace dance as a tool for creativity, confidence, physical literacy, and whole-child development.

If your school is ready to strengthen dance provision, build teacher expertise, or explore a bespoke partnership, please contact School’s Lead, Rachel Thomson at rachel.thomson@phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk