About Us

Dancers at Awards CeremonyThe British Association of Teachers of Dancing is a Registered Friendly Society No11 SA (5) and is represented on the British Dance Council, The Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, The Theatre Dance Council International, The Sport and Recreation Alliance. Qualifications are SCQF rated by Qualifications Scotland.  

In 1892 The British Association of Teachers of Dancing was founded and became the first professional dancing association to encourage dance professionals and teachers to form into a society to improve and develop the art of dancing in many forms.  

The B.A.T.D. started with 24 founding members in 1882 and our first president was Mr. Frederick George Wyatt. We have since grown to over three and half thousand members representing the UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa, USA and many other countries. 

The Association offers our worldwide members, refresher courses, festivals, seminars, championships, scholarship events, instructional workshops and annual conferences. Professional and amateur examinations are offered in Ballroom, Club Latino, Latin American, Classical Sequence, Freestyle, Highland, Scottish National, Step Dancing, Street, Cheer Pom, Majorette and All Theatre Genres, Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Stage, Tap and Acro/Gymnastic. We also offer examinations for those with additional support needs. 

The B.A.T.D. is deeply committed to promoting equality, diversity, and child protection in all aspects of its work. We strive to create an inclusive and safe environment for all, ensuring that every individual is treated with respect, dignity, and fairness, and that the safety and well-being of children are always a top priority.

Our goal and mission is to provide dance excellence and education to all members and teachers.

We are a professional membership organization comprising of committees with a dedication to provide support and assistance to our members.

The B.A.T.D. is committed to the advancement of the art of dance and has an extensive list of syllabi in all genres with examinations from amateur to professional available to our members.

The B.A.T.D. provides our members with scholarships, informative regional meetings, examinations, workshops, championships, children’s days of dance, annual conference and generous examination discounts.
If you are looking to further your dance education and qualifications, you will receive guidance, support and all of the necessary tools for your students and school.

The B.A.T.D. is an SCQF validated awarding organisation credit rated by Qualifications Scotland.

  • The B.A.T.D. is a Registered Friendly Society
  • It is Represented on
    • The British Dance Council
    • The Royal Scottish Official Board of the Highland Dancing
    • The Sport and Recreation Alliance
    • The Theatre Dance Council International