Dance Exams are designed to recognise the achievement of the student at different levels and are a positive experience. They are both important and achievable goals.
A student will only be considered for an exam if they are ready both physically and mentally.
After weeks and months of learning, practising and polishing the students arrive on exam day ready to be the best that they can be. There is ‘silence’ posters all over the building. Not only are these good manners and respectful but it also aids the smooth running of the session, allows the candidates to concentrate better and for the examiner to focus on the dancers.
Since the pandemic, we have not allowed parents to wait with the children on dance exam day and this has so far worked really well. A parent helper will greet the children at the door and direct / take them to the waiting area. The waiting area is much quieter for this and the children are visibly calmer.
All students must be wearing a clean uniform. Hair must be in the chosen style as advised in advance with no wispy bits. No jewellery or nail varnish is permitted.
A few minutes before the exam time a small group of children wait silently outside the examination room. Each holds their report form and we wait for the ‘dingaling’ of the examiner’s bell to say that she is ready for them. The Examiner sits at a table at the end of the room (usually where the teachers stand in class) with a pretty table cloth and a vase of fresh flowers.
Once in the room, they hand over the form and stand in their positions. Our examiners are always really charming and welcoming so will say hello to each child and then they get their chance to shine!
Once they have demonstrated all their work they say goodbye and leave the room. At The Dance Hut, the students always come out smiling and saying how lovely their examiner has been. Even if they made a mistake they aren’t phased and happily get themselves changed and ready to leave.
Our dedicated door person will then see each student back to their parent and we wait.
After a few weeks, Miss Lucy receives an email with glorious results. It is always a huge pleasure to congratulate the dancers on their hard work and dedication.