Joint statement by CDMT and One Dance UK on regulated Graded Examinations during the national restrictions from 5th November 2020
CDMT and One Dance UK have received confirmation from the Department for Education in England stating that ‘exams for regulated qualifications, such as graded music, dance or performing arts exams, can go ahead during the national restrictions, as long as they are conducted in line with the public health guidance on autumn exams and the guidance specified by the relevant awarding organisation.’
However, tutoring or lessons provided to prepare a candidate for a regulated qualification can only take place outside of school where the provision is reasonably necessary to enable parents to work, search for work, or attend education or training, or where the provision is used for the purposes of respite care, including for vulnerable children, or in relation to home education.
Therefore, our understanding of the guidelines is that routine face-to-face dance classes outside schools cannot continue, and therefore any examination preparation would need to be made via remote learning. We recommend that teachers make decisions about whether to enter candidates for exams in liaison with their candidates and, where relevant, their parents/guardians to ensure that everyone is comfortable with the decision. Dance studios are likewise closed, although with the confirmation from the Department of Education that exams can go ahead, we understand that these spaces can be used for examinations as long as public health guidance is followed.
Note: The guidance for examinations during the Autumn 2020 is referenced in the following new national restrictions guidance. guidance for education and childcare settings on new national restrictions from 5 November