Most people with a future as professional dancers start very young. Ballet dancers have to begin intensive training by the age of 11. Some schools are specialist ballet schools, such as the Royal Ballet School and Elmhurst (in Association with Birmingham Royal Ballet). Hammond, Italia Conti and the two Arts Educational Schools concentrate on dance with drama. Pupils at several of these schools qualify for government help but few schools offer dance scholarships.

Some, especially boys' schools, do not offer dance at all, while others offer a wide range including folk, modern, ballet, ballroom - and reels in Scotland. Dance may be taught as part of physical education. Some schools emphasise free movement while a few still regard dancing as a social accomplishment. Some offer qualifications from RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) or ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing).