Accredited Examination Boards

 
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BTDA

British Theatre Dance Association Examinations provide Internationally recognised and accredited GQAL / OFQUAL Qualifications

British Theatre Dance Association examinations provide internationally recognised qualifications that are fully accredited by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations: Ofqual

GQAL (Graded Qualifications Alliance) examinations provide awards that compliment existing academic and competence based programmes and provide a qualification for graded performance levels

GQAL offer the following QCF (Qualification and Credit Framework) qualifications for BTDA Programmes in:

General Graded Examinations

  • Grade 1 (Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics)

  • Grade 2 (Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics)

  • Grade 3 (Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics)

  • Grade 4 (Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics)

  • Grade 5 (Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics)

  • Grade 6 (Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics)

  • Grade 7 (Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics)

  • Grade 8 (Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics)

Vocational Graded Qualifications

  • Intermediate (Ballet, Tap, Modern)

  • Advanced Foundation (Ballet, Tap, Modern)

  • Advanced 1 (Ballet, Tap, Modern)

  • Advanced 2 (Ballet, Tap, Modern)

  • Diploma in Professional Development (Ballet, Tap, Modern)

Teaching Qualifications

  • Certificate for Dance Teaching Assistant

  • Certificate in Dance Teaching

  • Diploma in Dance Teaching and Management

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Royal Academy of Dance

Provide Internationally recognised qualifications

RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) is recognised to award qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), in Wales by Qualifications Wales, and in Northern Ireland by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA)

  • Dance to Your Own Tune is the curriculum for children from 2 ½ to 5 years

  • The Graded Syllabus (Pre-Primary in Dance, Primary in Dance and Grades 1-8) provides a broad practical dance education and develops technical, musical and performance skills (age 5+)

  • Vocational Graded Examinations (Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1, Advanced 2) provide an in-depth study of ballet and prepare students for a career in dance (age 11+)


RAD Classes at BSS are always instructed by trained and qualified Guest RAD Teacher, Miss Heather Peskett


How UCAS points are allocated for RAD exams

Graded and vocational graded examinations in dance at RQF Level 3 are allocated points on the UCAS tariff. This means that candidates who have achieved a pass or higher in Grades 6, 7, 8, Intermediate or Advanced Foundation, can use their RAD exam result towards their points tariff when applying to a relevant course at a university or higher education in the UK

The points tariff for each exam level and attainment band is shown in the table below:

Level Pass Merit Distinction

Grade 6 8 10 12

Grade 7 12 14 16

Grade 8 16 18 20

Intermediate 8 14 20

Advanced Foundation 16 20 24

LAMDA - London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

Provide Internationally recognised qualifications

LAMDA is recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations in England, and the corresponding regulatory authorities in Wales (DfES) and Northern Ireland (CCEA)

A LAMDA exam is the speech and drama equivalent of a music grade and culminates at grade 8. They are a thorough way of measuring attainment and progress and provide a benchmark for every stage of a students development. Covering a range of disciplines, LAMDA exams focus on:

  • Acting

  • Devising Drama

  • Miming

  • Speaking Verse & Prose

  • Reading for Performance

  • Using Spoken English

  • Speaking in Public

A LAMDA exam comprises of 2 elements: performance for the examiner + a short discussion with the examiner. The performance may consist of acted monologues or scenes, a recital of poems and prose pieces or presentations on chosen subjects, all relative to the grade the student is taking. Some pieces and subjects are assigned by LAMDA and others chosen by the candidate


Examinations are separated into levels

  • Introductory Level – for young performers (5-7 years)

  • Entry Level

  • Level 1 – Grades 1,2,3

  • Level 2 – Grades 4 and 5

  • Level 3 – Grades 6, 7 and 8 (Bronze Medal, Silver Medal, Gold Medal)


All LAMDA exams have official accreditation as part of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and can be instantly appreciated by a potential employer or admissions officer. The QCF arranges qualifications into 8 levels of difficulty. GCSE's (grades A* - C) are at Level 2 and A levels are at Level 3. A PhD (doctorate) is at Level 8. Learners can gain qualifications at their own pace.

How UCAS points are allocated for LAMDA exams

Level 3 LAMDA exams (grades 6, 7 and 8) are further recognised within the UCAS Tariff. The UCAS Tariff is the system for allocating points to qualifications used for entry to higher education. Universities and colleges use the UCAS Tariff to make comparisons between the applicants with different qualifications. Tariff points are often used in entry requirements, although other factors are taken into account. Below is a guide of how the LAMDA medal exams look within the context of the UCAS Tariff:



Attainment Level Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 PCertLAM

Distinction 12 16 30 24

Merit 10 14 27 16

Pass 8 12 24 8

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London College of Music

Provide Internationally recognised qualifications


London College of Music Examinations are awarded by University of West London Qualifications, which is recognised by Ofqual (the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator) and the corresponding organisations in Wales (Qualifications Wales) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) to offer regulated qualifications

Students can take examinations in Musical Theatre & Singing. There are 8 grades plus 2 introductory levels, four performance diplomas and three teaching diplomas

Standard graded exams consist of 2 Components

  • Component 1: Performance

    At Step 1 to Grade 2 candidates perform 2 songs, grades 3 to 5 three songs, and at grades 6 to 8 four songs

  • Component 2: Discussion (plus sight reading at grade 8 only)

    Candidates will be engaged in a short discussion with the examiner. The number of questions asked, and the content of the questions, may differ from candidate to candidate, however the prime focus will always be the music performed in the performance component of the exam.

At grade 8, candidates will also have to read at sight one part of a dialogue from a libretto. The use of costumes and props are encouraged during exams. Examinations are taken at examination centres

Examinations Grades are as follows

  • Step 1

  • Step 2

  • Grade 1

  • Grade 2

  • Grade 3

  • Grade 4

  • Grade 5

  • Grade 6

  • Grade 7

  • Grade 8

  • Performance Diplomas (DipLCM, ALCM, LLCM)

Performance Diplomas

Component 1: Quick Study

Candidates will be asked to perform a short musical theatre song. At ALCM and LLCM this will include short section of libretto, leading directly into the song. Candidates will be given 15 minutes to prepare a quick study, with their accompanist.


Component 2: Performance

Candidates will perform a varied programme of songs and extracts of libretto, demonstrating a wide and diverse range of music theatre genres.


Component 3: Presentation (LLCM only)

Candidates will be required to give a short presentation on an area of musical theatre, chosen from a list of topics given in the syllabus