Teacher Information and Welcome Guide

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.

(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.)

Teachers should complete a quick headcount on arrival.
Runners (festival assistants) will be on hand to guide you throughout the day.

Rehearsal / Run-through

Each school will have a scheduled slot on stage to rehearse their piece with the technical team.
Please bring your music file (already submitted to the organiser in advance).
During this rehearsal the lighting plan for your performance will be created.
Staff should supervise pupils in the wings and encourage calm, quiet waiting while other schools rehearse.

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.
The finale involves each school bowing in turn and performing simple pre-published steps.
Teachers and staff should help marshal pupils into lines and maintain order.

Break

After the finale rehearsal, there is a one-hour break before the evening performance.
Pupils return to their changing rooms/areas with staff supervision.
This is an opportunity for pupils to eat snacks, rest, and prepare costumes.
Teachers are responsible for supervising their 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 called by runners and brought backstage in order.
Performances proceed with one school entering stage left, performing, and exiting stage right.
Staff should ensure children are calm, lined up, and ready when called.

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 with short remarks.

Collection of Children

At the end of the evening, the audience remains seated.
Schools will be called one by one to collect their children.
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.
Please remind children of expected behaviour and the importance of listening to instructions from staff and runners.
In case of emergency, follow the instructions of venue staff and the organiser.

Final Thoughts

This festival is a celebration of the creativity, energy, and teamwork of Barnet’s schools. With your support, we can ensure that every child has a positive and safe experience both on stage and behind the scenes.

Thank you for your commitment and for helping to make the Barnet Schools Dance Festival such a special event.

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.

You will be met at the stalls entrance and shown to your seats in the auditorium where you may watch the rehearsal.

Please ensure that all your dancers enter the theatre as quietly as possible.

When the children have been seated please go to the sound desk to hand in your usb flash drive and chat through any special requirements so that the technicians can make notes. Audio recording in .MP3 and Video recorcing in MP4

Please bring a spare copy incase there is a fault on the original

Remain in your seats until you are called for your rehearsal.

The dancers will be taken back stage and will run through their dance, including introductions, entrances exits.

You do not have to rehearse in full costume. However, please rehearse with any props, masks, etc. If you wish to perform in costume, please come to the theatre already changed as no dressing rooms will be available until after the rehearsal.

If you are going back to school after rehearsal remember to be back at Artsdepot in time for the finale rehearsal.

Strictly no eating in the auditorium. Only plastic or reusable water bottles are allowed.

Please bring packed food. Food is available from the café. Staff will be able to get a nice cup of coffee!

There are lots of areas outside the auditorium where you can sit with your group to have a snack. Some groups organise take away pizzas and others go out to McDonalds etc during the break.

Your music should be clearly labelled with the name of the school

As part of your rehearsals, please practise entrances and exits. Make sure that starting and finishing positions are clear.

If you have not recorded an introduction:
When performers have taken up their starting positions, select a dancer or group of dancers to come forward and introduce your school. Clear strong voices needed. They will speak into a microphone. They then move back to their starting positions for music to begin.

Thanks for all your hard work.

Anne Fisher