What are Modern Theatre Class Examinations?

Modern Theatre Class Examination Key points

• Examination conducted by teacher
• Small selection of Grade set exercises and a teacher’s dance
• Up to 6 candidates per examination set
• Use of optional free playlist and set music
• Individual mark and report sheet

The Modern Theatre Faculty prides itself in supporting the needs of members in an ever-evolving landscape, where dance is constantly growing and changing in order to meet the challenges of students and teachers worldwide. In the post-pandemic world the Modern Theatre Faculty identified that teachers needed more options for their pupils to learn and experience Modern, leading to the development of the Modern Theatre Class Examinations.

“The Class exams will make Modern Theatre dance more accessible to a broader range of pupils with a streamlined content that targets core technical and artistic development but takes the pressure off both the pupils and the teachers alike.”

Industry research, stakeholder feedback and comparability exercises were completed, and the Head of Faculty Development brought together a creative panel to consult with and deliberate class examinations and how they could impact our faculty and teachers.

The panel incorporated the Modern Theatre committee, grade lead examiners, lead lecturers, examiners, and ISTD teachers, from across the UK, Europe and internationally, all with varying experiences in the dance education sector. After many meetings and discussions, it was clear that the class examinations were a pathway to explore, and so trials were organised and delivered that received much positive feedback.

“Being able to teach the class exam content for all pupils and be able to dovetail it into a fuller programme for those who want more is a real bonus”.

At the forefront of the creative panels’ minds was the need to produce a succinct syllabus that allowed pupils to:

• Develop their artistry and individuality
• Experience and develop the Modern Theatre technique
• Foster creativity within a group setting
• Build confidence and positive social interactions in a class environment
• To be competitive within the wider examinations industry

Aim

The aim is to provide teachers and candidates with an alternative examination structure with selected set exercises chosen from our existing syllabi, giving teachers the ability to deliver the Modern Theatre technique syllabus to all dancers in the same class whether they are entered for a class or graded examination.

“The class exams would open up other opportunities as well, as I teach on-syllabus after school clubs, and it would give more structure to those classes and a goal with an outcome at the end but also allow the freedom to the teacher and pupils to choreograph various routines and a good experience into the regulated exam word”.

Pupils experience examinations from within the comfort of the class environment, conducted by the teacher and observed by the examiner live or remotely. In the Class Examinations there is also the versatility to use the Option A and Option B adaptions, accommodating varying physical strengths and capabilities, just as in the regulated graded examinations, where teachers prepare candidates for the relevant options most suited to the individuals.

Overview

• The Modern Theatre Class Examinations offer a range of learning opportunities that build understanding of the Modern Theatre genre, developing physical and artistic skills, allowing for those participating solely for recreational purposes to produce quality work but also enabling dancers to move to Graded examinations if they so wish.
• Similar to the regulated Grade exams there are six practical class examinations from 1 to 6, with Class Examination 6 being the highest level, with an increased amount of difficulty through these levels.
• The Class Examinations are nonregulated and do not hold UCAS points. They use a selection of the regulated graded syllabus exercises from the limbering, standing, and travelling sections in a set format, with the addition of a teacher’s group dance that completes each examination (no unset work).
• The Modern Theatre Class Examinations are led by the class teacher and performed in groups of up to six candidates using set or suggested free playlist music supplied by the faculty (to be published in the Autumn).
• Teachers can deliver the Class Examination and Regulated Examination work in the same class as they are the same exercises. This allows teachers to use any or all of the Class Examinations as part of a stand-alone training programme, or part of their training programme for the regulated examinations.

“The creative section at the end of the class award (quartet/trio dance idea) is great idea allowing flexibility for creativity and group community.”

Summary information

• Durations of Class Examinations are between 15–35 minutes, depending on the number of candidates and level.
• The Class Examination mark sheet is divided into two components of Technical Skills and Performance Skills with attainment outcomes of ‘Awarded with Commendation’ and ‘Awarded’.
• For the Technical Skills indicative content, this includes elements such as: awareness of posture, coordination, placement of arms and limbs, timing, awareness of space.
• For the Performance Skills indicative content, this includes elements such as: response to the teacher, correct recall of syllabi, awareness of dynamics and musicality and a sense of enjoyment.
• Every candidate is individually marked and assessed and will receive a report and certificate from each Class Examination entered.
• The full specification and an accompanying webinar will be published in summer 2024 to support teachers.

Remote examinations

As well as our regular remote examination process and uploading to our Panopto platform, there is also an additional remote filming process for teachers wishing to enter candidates for the Class Examinations in three smaller sections from the overall format, across an academic year.

“Teaching SEN pupils, I have struggled to keep them motivated as they have not had the opportunity to participate in the exam process, so the class exams will give them confidence and a much-needed sense of achievement!”

This remote filming is for any candidates, but specifically to allow any SEN candidates the time to focus on one section at a time across the academic year, filming each section and then moving on to develop the second and third sections. The films are ‘banked’ by the teacher and then after the third video is completed all three are uploaded onto our Panopto platform to be marked by the allocated examiner.

Full information about this process will be in the specification published later this summer and all filming of any section would be required to be completed under full examination conditions.

“For those who find the Grade work challenging the class setting would be less stress and very useful for late starters as I teach in a private school, year 7 upwards, and quite often have no previous dance experience, so the class exams would be a useful stepping stone to the grade exams with a similar vocabulary and exercises.”

Class examinations will enable teachers to offer a wider suite of examinations to their pupils and parents thus supporting their schools and businesses. As well as assisting teachers to develop the Modern Theatre technique, Class Examinations will support students’ wellbeing through the joy of dance, music, and community.

To read the Class Examinations Specification head to our Theatre Dance Specifications and Syllabus Outlines page.