Rewarding students for their work
All students are offered exams along their dance journeys with Pat Steel School of Dance however, these are not compulsory, and children will have the option to progress to higher levels with their fellow peers, providing it is safe for them to do so. However, we feel exams offers students a great opportunity to showcase what they've learned and lead to a great sense of achievement as they work hard to achieve a pass at an Ofqual recognised qualification.
Successful candidates will receive a certificate, report, and progress to the next grade.
Understand the exams process for each discipline
Ballet exams
Class Ballet Exam NATD: 5-6 years
Following the National Association of Teachers of Dancing syllabus, the Class Exam is the first in ballet, which eases students into the world of exams. They'll be marked on their technique, musicality and presentation, with support from the class teacher. Whilst nerves beforehand are perfectly normal, children love the experience and often want to go back in once the exam is finished!
Preliminary Ballet NATD: 6-7 years
This exam is the first that students will take without their teacher, performing a set syllabus to an external examiner. In groups of 4, students will be asked to show barra work, centre steps, a mime, musical interpretation and a story dance.
Grade 1 Ballet RAD & NATD: 7, 8 or 9 years
Depending on timetable and venue, students will enter either Grade 1 RAD or Grade 1 NATD. Whilst there is little difference between syllabi, RAD will have a teacher present whereas NATD will not, with successful candidates receiving a report, certificate and badge upon completion.
Grades 2-8 RAD
The higher grades (6, 7 and 8) all earn valuable UCAS points and are Ofqual recognised. Whilst exams often take place during weekdays, meaning students will need to come out of school to attend, most schools are usually understanding of this due to the exam offering recognised qualifications.
Vocational grades: Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1
This set of exams has been designed for dancers who wish to pursue ballet as a career. They are extremely challenging, and classes are by invitation only to selected students who have the technical facility and motivation for the work involved.
Tap
Class Exam NATD: 5-6 years
This is a great start for junior tappers who will learn a series of exercises of different tap moves, arm lines and rhythm, ending with a fun pirate dance! An external examiner will mark children on their technique, musicality and presentation, and the class teacher will be present.
Primary - Grade 6 Tap ISTD
Children are usually entered for their ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance) following a year of study. Upon the Grade 1 exam, home practice will be encouraged, and teachers will send out resources to aid you and your children. As the levels progress, 2 classes a week will also be encouraged leading up to the exam.
Vocational Tap Grades
After Grade 6, we offer Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced 1 Tap. These challenging grades, aimed at dancers who wish to study dance at college, are a rewarding end to the tap exam journey.
Modern
Primary Modern ISTD: 5-6 years
For this exam, the ISTD syllabus will be followed, which is great fun for students who will learn musicality and spatial awareness as well as dance routines. On the day, children will be marked by an external examiner with their teacher in the room for additional support, and will receive a report, certificate, and progress up to Grade 1, if successful. This is often introduced as a combined class with Class Exam Tap for our first starters.
Grades 1-6
Children are usually entered for their ISTD grades after a year of study. From Grade 1, teachers will no longer be present in the exam room however, resources will be provided by them for home practice during the lead up, and 2 classes a week will be encouraged.
Vocational Modern Grades
After Grade 6, we offer Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced 1 Modern for dancers who are looking for a rewarding and modern exam journey ahead of college!
Syllabi set by 3 examining boards:
RAD:
Royal Academy of Dance
This worldwide organisation is a global leader in dance education and training. Widely regarded as the best ballet training available, all our ballet teachers hold RAD qualifications.
Marking system:
40-54%: Pass
55-64%: Merit
65-74% High Merit
75-84%: Distinction
85-100%: High Distinction
ISTD: Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance
We use the ISTD graded syllabus for our Modern and Tap exams. The ISTD promotes knowledge in each speciality and provide up-to-date techniques in the ever-changing world of dance.
Marking system:
40-59%: Pass, a satisfactory to fairly good standard of achievement
60-79%: Merit, a good to very good standard of achievement
80-100%: Distinction, a high to extremely standard of achievement
NATD: National Association of Teachers of Dance
Focussing on creativity and musicality, we use this board for our junior grades (Class Exam, Preliminary and Grade 1), as well as the theatrical awards in One Dance, Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, to encourage the development of presentation and performance skills.
Marking system:
40-59%: Pass
60-79%: Merit
80-100%: Distinction
