Barnet Schools Dance Festival 2026

Teacher Information and Welcome Guide
Venue: Artsdepot, Finchley
Dates: 9 – 16 March 2026

Welcome

We are delighted to welcome you and your pupils to the Barnet Schools Dance Festival 2026. Whether this is your first time attending or you are a regular participant, this guide sets out what to expect during the day and what your role as a teacher will involve. Our aim is to ensure that every child enjoys a safe, exciting, and memorable experience.
Outline of the Day

Arrival

• On arrival at the theatre, make your way to the Pentland Theatre stalls entrance on level 3.
• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your allocated rehearsal time.
• Take your music file to the Tech box at the back of the theatre and discus any special requests (lighting, backdrop video)

(You may arrive as early as you like if you want to watch others perform. It is good to give support

to other performers and creates a good atmosphere.)

• Festival crew will be on hand to guide you throughout the day.

Rehearsal / Run-through

• Each school has a scheduled 20 minute slot on stage to rehearse their piece with the technical team.
• Please bring your music file on a usb drive in .mp3 format labelled with the name or your school and a spare
• Any video must be in .mp4 and filmed in landscape.
• During this rehearsal the lighting plan for your performance will be created by the tech team.

Finale Rehearsal

• After all schools have run through their pieces, there will be a full group rehearsal for the finale.
• Up to 350 children may be on stage together.
• Anne Fisher (Festival Organiser) will lead the rehearsal.
• Please insure you have learned the finale phrases before your performance day.

Break

• After the finale rehearsal, there is a one-hour break before the evening performance.
• Pupils return to their changing dressing rooms
• This is an opportunity for dancers to eat and prepare for the evening performance.
• Teachers are responsible for supervising pupils at all times.

Evening Performance

• The organiser will open the show with a welcome and reminders for the audience (fire exits, no photography, phones off).
• Each school will be collected from their dressing room by runners and taken to the stage for their performance
• Performances proceed with one school entering stage left, performing, and exiting stage right.

Finale & Closing

• At the end of the programme, runners will again line up schools backstage in order for the finale.
• Confetti and sound effects will mark the finale — staff should be ready to reassure any nervous children.
• After the final bows, the organiser will close the event

Collection of Children

• At the end of the evening, the audience remains seated in the theatre whilst the dancers return to their dressing rooms.
• As each school is ready, parents will be invited to collect their children from the cafe area on level 2
• Teachers must ensure every pupil is handed back to their parent/carer before leaving.
• This system avoids congestion and ensures all children are safely reunited.

Your Responsibilities as Teachers

• Supervise your pupils at all times (including breaks, rehearsals, and backstage).
• Support the children’s behaviour and discipline, especially during waiting times.
• Assist runners with lining up pupils for stage entries and the finale.
• Ensure children have any necessary items (costumes, water, snacks) and collect belongings before departure.
• Confirm each child is safely collected by an authorised parent/carer.

Safeguarding and Safety

• Only DBS-cleared school staff may supervise pupils.
• No photography is permitted – the show will be professionally recorded, and a download will be available afterwards.
• In case of emergency, follow the instructions of venue staff and the organiser.

 

Thank you so much for your commitment and hard work in making Barnet Schools' Dance Festival such a special and positive event for so many young dancers.