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Summer Exam Session 2020 - Cancelled -future exams dates to be confirmed
Colours of Dance trains Modern, Tap, Streetdance, Lating & Ballroom pupils to a standard suitable for entry to the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance examination & medal test syllabi. Teachers will determine when each pupils is ready for examination or medal test, but a general description of what qualifications the examinations provide is given by the ISTD and copied below for convenience.
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) is one of the world’s leading dance examination boards. The ISTD is arranged as a series of Faculties, setting medal tests and examinations as is best suited to students of different dance genres. Each Faculty sets its own syllabus and standards, trains students and teachers through their curses and competitions, within an overall framework set by the board.
The ISTD achieved Government recognition in November 2000 through the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and was further recognised to operate in the Qualifications and Credit Framework in 2010 by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual). Ofqual is now the successor to QCA as the Regulator for England and for qualifications on the QCF delivered in Northern Ireland, and works in conjunction with the Department for Education and Skills of the Welsh Assembly Government, as the Regulator, which recognises the ISTD in Wales.
Modern and Tap students will be entered for examination when their teacher feels that they are ready, and each grade takes approximately 3 to 4 terms of preparation at one lesson a week. We usually run one session of Modern & Tap exams a year, and occasionally two sessions - it will depend on when the current students are ready. Tap exams can be taken from Primary to Advanced 2, and for Modern we offer them from Primary to Grade 3, after which we transition our pupils into contemporary style, which is not examined. Preparation for examinations requires attendance at 3-5 additional classes in the run up to the exam, depending on the grade.
The Medal Test system is different to examinations, and applies to all Ballroom/Latin and Streetdance classes here. The medal tests also define which category a candidate participates in at competitions, along with their age. Under 12s are 'Juniors' and 12 and above are 'Juvenile'. Students can start taking medal tests from age 4 to adult and the levels are as follows:
Under 6s - Under 8s - Social One Dance Test (SODT) - Social Dance Test (SDT) 1, 2, 3, 4 - Pre Bronze - Bronze - Silver - Gold
At all levels except the SODT, two dances are shown and examined. At all levels except the SODT, there are 4 medals that may be gained before moving on, although not all medals are required at U6 and U8 in order to move up. You have to have achieved all four SDT medals 1-4 in order to progress to Pre-Bronze.
If you have any other questions, please speak to your teacher or to the Principal.
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