Category: News

Question at the House of Lords in support of awarding organisations offering graded examinations in the performing arts

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House of Lords Screenshot
On Monday 7 June 2021 there was a debate in the House of Lords about arts subjects in secondary schools.

The proceedings were started by Lord Clancarty asking ‘Her Majesty’s Government what support they intend to provide for education in arts subjects in secondary schools’ to which responses were provided by Baroness Berridge.

Placing the spotlight on CDMT Validated awarding organisations offering graded examinations in dance, drama and musical theatre, Lord Aberdare moved to ask:

‘My Lords, many secondary schools can provide performing arts education only with the support of specialist external arts teaching practitioners, particularly for dance and drama. Many of these are linked to awarding organisations, validated by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre, which offer Ofqual-regulated graded examinations.

What plans do the Government have to promote the use of such specialist performing arts teaching by schools, thereby broadening their access to these highly regarded qualifications? How will the education recovery plan ensure that all schools can offer the balanced curriculum that the Government require?’

A recording of the question can be viewed here.              

Lord Aberdare is the Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Performing Arts Education and Training for which CDMT is secretariat. We are delighted that Lord Clancarty has also joined the Group subsequent to Monday’s debate.

We are now in the process of following up with a letter to Baroness Berridge asking for further and deeper consideration of the important points raised by Lord Aberdare’s question.

Note:

CDMT recently launched an updated version of the booklet: Restarting the Sector 2021: Covid-19 and Practical Lessons in the Performing Arts which is available here. 

Updated Booklet Released — Restarting the Sector 2021

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Appreciation of, and engagement in, the performing arts together make an essential contribution to supporting the happiness and wellbeing of individuals and society more widely, which is especially important in the current context. Regretfully, students have missed significant periods of practical creative learning due to successive national lockdowns and local restrictions. To help alleviate pressures on children and schools, ministers should encourage increased outsourcing of performing arts provision to specialist teaching practitioners, such as those preparing students for Ofqual-regulated graded examinations, further to support learners of diverse backgrounds and those in challenging circumstances.

Awarding organisations offering graded examinations promote progression and achievement in dance, drama, music and musical theatre by assisting the work of private teachers, and delivering world class assessments. The wealth of professional expertise fostered within awarding organisations’ networks of teachers should be better utilised to nurture a more productive working relationship between them and mainstream schools and colleges, particularly in a context where resources may be limited.

As background, these awarding organisations operate in 100+ countries globally and have an approximate combined:

  • turnover of more than £175M each year, of which £120M is directly related to examinations activity in the performing arts. The proportion of income generated in the UK compared to overseas is in the order of 55% to 45% respectively.
  • annual examination entries in the UK of 1.1M* and 0.75M overseas. Out of a total 1.85M, 725,000 entries are in dance, 925,000 in music, and 200,000 in drama.
  • engagement with 80,000 teachers in the UK and 100,000 overseas.
  • UK staff of over 1,000 along with 2,500 examiners.

The booklet titled Restarting the Sector 2021: Covid-19 and Practical Lessons in the Performing Arts is available here.

Restarting the Sector 2021

Preparation for graded examinations develops high standards of performance, perception, creativity, knowledge and understanding. The examinations provide a scheme of clear incremental standards by which students, teachers and parents/guardians can measure progress in acquiring genuine command of the skills required in each discipline, whether for educational or social purposes. The range of specialisms awarded encompasses an extensive list of dance genres, drama disciplines, musical theatre and musical instruments and styles, catering for, and drawing in, a diverse group of learners.

In support of the sector, CDMT also publishes Graded Exams: The Definitive Guide which can be accessed here as an e-book.

* The figures above include regulated and other provision. Ofqual-regulated graded exam certifications in 2019 stood at 0.5M in England.

Updated Booklet Released – A Time of Challenge 2021

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A Time of Challenge 2021 front cover large

The electronic booklet, A Time of Challenge,which was first released in July 2020, has been updated to reflect the 2021 Covid-19 circumstances and the specific concerns and needs of CDMT Accredited Schools who have an approximate combined:

  • turnover of more than £90m each year
  • total of students on full-time vocational courses in the performing arts of 6,300
  • in-take of new students onto vocational courses of 2,700 annually, from 20,500 auditions.

These Accredited institutions which offer vocational training in dance, drama and musical theatre transform lives, enrich communities, drive regional and national economic growth, and improve social interactions across the arts and culture. Their remit and functions are therefore strongly influenced by educational, cultural and sector-focused decisions directed by the Department for Education and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports. It is important that whatever decisions are made for the wider industry, including for theatres and performance companies, equal consideration is also made of the assistance needed to secure the existing ‘pipeline’ of highly trained future professionals on which the sector relies for its regeneration and renewal.

Further, the UK has a long-standing reputation for the provision of world-class professional training in the performing arts. However, in an economic climate where there is growing pressure on higher-level studies and the arts in general – due to Covid-19 and EU withdrawal – this reputation could be at risk. Sustained support must be offered for the creative industries, and crucially, those undertaking vocational training within it, better to ensure that young graduates continue to aspire, and feel inspired, to enter the sector in the years ahead. In turn, the UK economy more widely will benefit from the contributions made by the next generation of trained professional practitioners.

Update on the easing of lockdown restrictions in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

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This following sets out the current easing of restrictions across the UK as of 17th May 2021. 


England

On 17th May, Step 3 of the roadmap for easing restrictions was implemented.  For performing arts teaching and assessment, Step 3 has the following implications:

General information on easing of restrictions

  • People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors
  • Six people or two households can meet indoors
  • Remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas can open
  • Indoor entertainment such as museums, theatres, cinemas and children’s play areas can open
  • Performances and large events can restart, but with limits on audience numbers
  • Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart

Community settings guidance

This guidance has been updated to correspond to the guidance for out of schools settings regarding numbers of children that can be involved in indoor activities.

Out of schools guidance

This guidance has been updated to confirm that from 17 May where wraparound and other extra-curricular activities for children are located indoors, they are permitted to take place in groups of any number. However, when considering appropriate group sizes, it is important to take into account the factors outlined in the guidance – such as the recommended occupancy levels of the premises at which the activity takes place and levels of ventilation.

The guidance also confirms that face coverings will no longer be recommended in classrooms and in all communal areas for children in year 7 (or of equivalent age i.e. who were aged 11 on 31 August 2020) and above. Face coverings will also no longer be recommended for staff in classrooms. The guidance does recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff and visitors in situations outside of classrooms where social distancing is not possible (for example, when moving around in corridors and communal areas).

Grass roots sports guidance

The guidance has been updated to confirm that:

Indoor sport is exempt from the gathering limits for adults and children where it is formally organised (for example, by a national governing body, business or charity) and follows measures including COVID-secure guidance. Organised indoor sport must adhere to the relevant capacity restrictions for indoor sport facilities including allowing a minimum of 100sqft per person for all people in the venue. This applies to organised indoor (individual and team) sports, indoor exercise classes and organised sports participation events.

Exercise classes and group activities can resume in any number, provided they are organised (for example, by a qualified coach or instructor) and adhere to the relevant capacity restrictions for indoor sport facilities (a minimum of 100sqft per person should be provided to all people in the venue). Group activities should be organised to allow for social distancing, wherever possible.

Activities for children (those who were under 18 on 31 August 2020)

Children can take part in indoor childcare and supervised activities, including sport and physical activity (such as community sport clubs) with any number of participants.

Performing arts guidance

The guidance has been updated to confirm that:

  • Indoor and outdoor performing arts venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas and dedicated grassroots music venues can open to the public.
    • The legal gathering limits do not apply to people using the facility for work purposes (e.g. use by performing arts professionals for rehearsals, training, and performances for broadcast or recording purposes).
  • Performance events with an audience are permitted, indoors and outdoors.
    • Events permitted in Step 3 (which include live performances) should follow all COVID-secure guidance, adhere to all legal requirements, and take all reasonable action to mitigate risk to public health.
    • Capacity caps apply to both indoor events (up to 1,000 people or 50% of a site or venue’s capacity, whichever is lower) and outdoor events (up to 4,000 people or 50% of a site or venue’s capacity, whichever is lower. Different capacity caps apply to larger venues and events.
  • Dance and fitness studios are open for professional and non-professional use (in line with legal gathering limits).
  • Non-professional activities are permitted indoors and outdoors, within the legal gathering limits.
    • Outdoors, people can take part in non-professional performing arts activities in a group of up to 30 people. Activities can take place with multiple permitted groups, provided the groups are kept separate throughout the activity, and the event is organised in line with the organised events guidance for local authorities.
    • Indoors, people can take part in non-professional performing arts activities in a group of up to 6 people, or as a group of 2 households/bubbles. Activities can take place with multiple permitted groups, provided the groups are kept separate throughout the activity, and the event is organised in line with the organised events guidance for local authorities.
    • However, non-professional singing indoors should only take place in a single group of up to 6 people.

Scotland

General guidance on the easing of restrictions

The Scottish Government has confirmed that the majority of areas have moved from Level 3 to Level 2 from 17 May.  The areas of Glasgow and Moray are currently in Level 3, and Moray only will be downgraded to Level 2 as of Midnight on Friday 21 May. Glasgow will remain in Level 3 until further notice.

Restrictions in Level 3

  • All organised sports and activities are permitted, provided appropriate safety measures are followed.
  • Sports organisations will need to refer to guidance produced by their Scottish Governing Body of Sport and ensure they operate in line with the guidance.

 Adults

  • Organised outdoor non-contact sports, personal training and coaching are permitted, provided appropriate safety measures are followed. Outdoor contact sports are not permitted, except for professional sport.
  • Sports organisations will need to refer to guidance produced by their Scottish Governing Body of Sport and ensure they operate in line with the guidance.
  • Exercise is permitted indoors, abiding by the rules on meeting other households. No group exercise classes or sports (contact or non-contact) are permitted indoors.

Restrictions in Level 2

  • 4 adults from 2 households in your home or theirs – and can stay overnight
  • 6 adults from 3 households in an indoor public place like a café, pub or restaurant
  • 8 adults from 8 households outdoors
  • under 12s do not count towards the total number of people or households meeting outside but do count towards household numbers indoors

Sport and exercise

Under 18s

  • All organised sports and activities are permitted, provided appropriate safety measures are followed.

Adults

  • All organised outdoor sports, personal training and coaching are permitted, provided appropriate safety measures are followed.
  • Organised exercise (such as exercise classes and non-contact sports) is permitted indoors, provided appropriate safety measures are followed.


Wales

General guidance on the easing of restrictions

From Monday 3 May the Welsh Government confirmed that the following measures would be in place:

  • Gyms, leisure centres, swimming pools and fitness facilities can open.
  • Extended households can be formed with one other household.
  • Indoor supervised activities for children can take place.
  • Indoor organised activities for up to 15 adults can take place.
  • Community centres can open.


Northern Ireland

General guidance on easing of restrictions

The Northern Ireland Assembly confirmed that the following measures would be in place as of 7th May.  These will be reviewed on 24th May.

  • Up to 10 people (including children of all ages) from a maximum of two households can meet outdoors, and up to six people from a maximum of two households can meet in non-domestic indoor settings, for a permitted reason.
  • You may not organise, operate or take part in an indoor gathering which consists of more than six people, or outdoor gathering which consists of more than 10 people.
  • Community halls are allowed to remain open, but must adhere to current guidelines.
  • Libraries are allowed to provide ‘call and collect’ services. 
  • Theatres and concert halls are permitted to open for rehearsals or a live recording without an audience.

Indoor visitor and cultural attractions

  • Indoor leisure and entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, amusement arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, skating rinks, inflatable parks, go-karting venues, soft play centres, indoor museums, galleries, visitor and other indoor cultural attractions are not permitted to open.

Exercising and sports

  • Gyms, swimming pools and indoor leisure facilities may open for individual exercise and also one-to-one training/ coaching with social distancing.