Our Mission
The Greater Manchester Dance Collective exists to connect, support, and empower dance educators across the North of England. Our mission is to strengthen dance education by providing opportunities for collaboration, professional development, resource sharing, and exam support.
We are committed to promoting the value of dance and the arts in young people’s lives, recognising their power to inspire, uplift, and transform. Through accessible events, a thriving online community, and a shared vision for excellence, we unite teachers to raise the standard of dance education and champion its place in every young person’s learning journey.
Explore Our Upcoming Events
Exam Debrief & Insight: Reflecting on the 2025 GCSE Dance Season
Join fellow dance educators from across the North for a reflective session on the 2025 GCSE Dance examination. This event will provide space for open discussion around the paper, key takeaways, student performance trends, and lessons learned. Attendees are encouraged to bring examples of their own student responses and marking experiences to share. Together, we’ll identify strengths, common pitfalls, and strategies for improvement, fostering a supportive dialogue that builds confidence and clarity for future cohorts.
September 2025
12:00pm - 4:00pm
FULLY BOOKED
September 2025
12pm - 4:00pm
September 2025
12pm - 4:00pm
September 2025
12pm - 4:00pm
September 2025
12pm - 4:00pm
September 2025
12pm - 4:00pm
Curriculum Conversations: Building Engagement from KS3 to KS4
This collaborative session focuses on strengthening dance provision across Key Stage 3 and 4. Through the sharing of best practice in delivering theory content, developing a dynamic KS3 curriculum, and boosting uptake at KS4, teachers will leave with practical ideas and strategies to take back to their settings. The session also includes time for structured discussion around challenges faced by non-specialists, curriculum time pressures, and student engagement, making it an essential event for both new and experienced dance educators.
January 2026
12:00pm - 4:00pm
FULLY BOOKED
Date TBC
Date TBC
Date TBC
NEA in Focus: GCSE Dance Practical Moderation
This open and supportive session invites dance teachers to bring and share completed NEA practical work for informal moderation and discussion. Designed for both new and experienced educators, the event focuses on refining understanding of the assessment criteria through collaborative marking and professional dialogue. Teachers will have the opportunity to watch, compare, and assess a range of duet/trio and choreography work, gaining valuable insights into national standards. Whether you’re seeking reassurance, moderation confidence, or the chance to benchmark your own students’ work, this session provides a valuable space for standardisation and shared practice.
25th March 2025
9:30am - 3:30pm
BOOKING OPENING SOON
April 2026
9:30am - 3:30pm
April 2026
9:30am - 3:30pm
How It Works
Our Community
How to get involved at the Greater Manchester Dance Collective
Join Us
Become a Member
Get full access to exclusive resources, priority event booking, and a growing network of dance educators.
Explore
Discover Events
Explore our range of upcoming events both online and in person.
Attend
Face-to-face Events
Open to all teachers willing to travel to South Manchester, our face-to-face events help you to get the most out of your membership
Share
Become a GMDC Host
We welcome experienced dance educators who would like to lead CPD, share best practice, or collaborate on events across the GMDC network.
FAQ
Who is the GMDC for?
The Greater Manchester Dance Collective is open to dance educators working in secondary education and related settings, including schools, colleges, and established training organisations. Whether you are a newly qualified teacher, long standing Head of Dance or an experienced practitioner, GMDC is designed to support subject-specific development and collaboration.
Do I need to be a member to attend events?
No. During the initial launch phase, GMDC events and courses are free to attend and open to both members and non-members.
GMDC membership is currently offered at an expenses-only rate to support the setup of the collective. As GMDC develops, paid membership will offer additional benefits including priority booking for events, free places at select events throughout the year, access to a shared online bank of teaching resources, and online forums for instant peer-to-peer discussion and support.
What type of CPD and events does GMDC offer?
GMDC delivers a mix of in-person and online CPD, including exam board–focused training, moderation and standardisation sessions, theory best practice, choreography support, and networking events. All CPD is designed and led by experienced dance educators, with a strong focus on practical classroom application.