Frequently Asked Questions

What is Step into Dance?

Step into Dance is a Royal Academy of Dance Programme in Partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation. Our aim is to provide young people with the opportunity to access high quality dance provision and to equip them with skills they can use and develop as they move through life.

What are the different programmes?

We have a range of programmes available to suit the needs of all of our partner schools and youth groups, from 6-66 hours. Please visit the schools page to find out more. If you have any questions please contact stepintodance@rad.org.uk

If you are new to dance we would recommend one of our Step INTRO Dance programmes.

Who is the programme for?

Our programme is open to Schools and Youth Groups for young people aged 11-18 or up to 25 for those with additional needs across London and Essex.

When can I host sessions?

Our programme is designed to be delivered as an extra-curricular activity. We can offer sessions Monday – Friday, before school, at lunch time or after school hours. Sessions must be a minimum of 1 our in duration.

If you are an SEND setting, we are able to make exceptions to these timings to suit the needs of your learners.

If you were hoping to host sessions during the school day, please contact stepintodance@rad.org.uk to discuss your booking requirements.

How do I book?

Please complete the google form here. If you have any questions, please contact stepintodance@rad.org.uk

Once your form is received the Step into Dance team will begin looking to assign a suitable practitioner to deliver your sessions. If we have any questions about your booking, we will be in touch.

Please note: requests for programmes to start at short notice cannot always be guaranteed.

Who is it taught by?

We have a fantastic team of freelance practitioners who are working in the industry and able to share their knowledge and passion for dance. Click here to meet the team.

All of our practitioners have an Enhanced DBS certificate and have completed safeguarding training.

What happens if my class is cancelled?

As a partner school or youth group, if you need to cancel your session we require 1 weeks notice, any sessions cancelled with less than 1 weeks notice will be deducted from your package booking. Sessions cancelled with more than 1 weeks notice should be re-arranged at a later date with your Step into Dance Practitioner and agreed in advance with the Step into Dance Programme Officer.

If your Step into Dance Practitioner cancels a session, they will aim to find a replacement cover teacher from our pre-approved list of practitioners. If they are unable to arrange a cover then they should arrange with you directly when they can make up the missed session and agree this in advance with the Step into Dance Programme Officer.

What happens if my Step into Dance Practitioner is no longer available?

Unfortunately, due to the nature of performance work, some of our practitioners do become unavailable for certain periods of time. If this happens to you, we will aim to find a replacement practitioner to take over the sessions on the same day and time as your booking. We will communicate with you over the transition period to ensure a smooth handover for the young people.

What Performance Opportunities are available?

We have a number of different performance opportunities for students engaged in our programme. Including; our annual street dance Battle, Day of Dance, Step Around Town and our annual celebration of dance Step Live! Check out our events page here for more information.

These events are free to attend for groups on programmes of 20 hours or more. If you are on one of our shorter programmes and want to attend, please get in touch with stepintodance@rad.org.uk to discuss.

How do I pay?

Once your booking is confirmed an invoice will be generated and sent to the lead contact of the booking to be paid in full.

How much does it cost?

Thanks to the generous funding of the Jack Petchey Foundation we are able to offer our programme at a heavily subsidised rate prices start from as little as £182.

If cost is a barrier to participation, please contact stepintodance@rad.org.uk to discuss the possibility of a bursary.

Do you offer any discounts?

Our programme are heavily subsidised by the Jack Petchey Foundation however, discounts may become available at certain times of the year. Make sure to check our socials or newsletters for upcoming discount codes.

What is required of Partner Schools and Youth Groups?

Partner Schools and Youth Groups will need to:

• Provide an adequate space for dance,
• Provide means of playing music,
• Provide a member of staff to be present during the sessions at all times,
• Maintain regular communication with the Step into Dance team and your Step into Dance Practitioner,
• Promote the sessions to the young people to ensure as many young people are reached as possible and
• Participate in a pre-meeting with a member of the Step into Dance team and your assigned Step into Dance Practitioner.

Please note: the Step into Dance school year has started, but you can still book onto your chosen package. We will then be in touch to discuss how we can adapt the dates to suit your school year.

Step into Dance is a Royal Academy of Dance programme in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation, a charity set up by Sir Jack Petchey CBE to inspire and celebrate young people. Since 1999, the Foundation has invested over £170 million in programmes and partnerships that have directly benefitted almost 1.2m young people aged 11-25 across London and Essex.