Dance Examinations 

At Warwick School of Dance we offer exams in most dance genres. Pupils can take graded and vocational examinations, and solo dance awards with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA).  They're a great way of measuring progress and rewarding hard work!

Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before your child’s exam starts, or earlier if you require help with hair, getting ready etc. The day may be running ahead of time, plus your child may need time to have their hair styled and to warm up ready for their exam.

What you need to bring:

Hairbrush, tail comb, hair elastics, hair net (thin and same colour as hair), hairspray or gel, hair pins and hair grips.

Clean, correct, immaculate uniform and well fitting shoes (if applicable).

Drink and snack (not messy!)

Book or small game to play

When you arrive:

When you arrive you will find all the parents and children in a changing area. The children will be getting changed and might be having their hair done by a teacher or student helper. We try to maintain a calm relaxed atmosphere in this area so the children feel happy and confident to go into their exam. Therefore please try not to bring siblings with you if possible. 

You are welcome to stay and wait with your child in the changing area or you can go and collect them after the exam. A WSD teacher will always be there to supervise and look after the children.

Getting changed

It is best to get changed first, so as not to ruin the hair by taking jumpers over it once it is done. We ask children not to wear any visible underwear and the older students to have discreet underwear. Once your child is changed please supervise them when they go to the toilet as if water splashes it marks the uniform. Please make sure your child doesn’t have any nail varnish on or any visible rub-on tattoos, no earrings or anything around their wrists please.

Waiting

If you have arrived in good time, we will ask the children to sit calmly which is why it is suggested above that you bring something to occupy them. If there is time and space, the teacher will try to have a two minute practice before going into the exam room.

Exam time

When it is time for the exam one of the teachers will take the group of children out of the changing area, this is when you say goodbye! We take them quietly out into the corridor by the studio where they can calmly compose themselves before the exam. The teacher will make them feel calm and confident and ready to go in. Please try to avoid coming to this area as it can be quite distracting and builds nerves. 

In the Exam Room

In the exam there will be a table at the front where the examiner sits. In addition there is a music operator. Parents and teachers are not allowed in the exam room (unless it is Pre- Primary, Primary or a class award where the teacher also goes in). The examiner will ask for the exercises the children have been practicing, writing notes as she goes. Once the children have finished their exam they will run straight back into the changing area and tell you all about it.

Home time

Please make sure you have all your belongings, including your hairbrush that may have been left where they had their hair done. If you can then leave fairly promptly that would be appreciated. It can get quite busy and consequently noisy with lots of parents and children in a small space.

The Results

The results can take from 3 weeks to even 3 months! As soon as we have them we will hand them out in class. You will receive two sheets provided by the exam board. One is the official certificate with your child’s name, grade and result. The second is the report which is a breakdown of how your child did in each section of the exam.

If you have any other questions please ask!