Rescheduled ballet exams
We are delighted, after almost 7 months, to be able to run our Spring ballet exams... with a difference!
Our exams were cancelled only hours before they were due to begin in March due to the Covid pandemic. We opted to reschedule the exams for our 153 candidates, obviously not knowing that the lockdown and restrictions would last so long. The Royal Academy of Dance has arranged for schools to submit their entries by video, the first time this has ever been done. However, we had to wait for the government to allow us to resume in the Studio before being able to conduct these 'virtual' exams.
New exam format
The filmed exams are running as a normal exam but with a teacher conducting the session and a camera beside them to record the session for the RAD examiner. The teachers have had to both manage filming, and new specifications, guidelines and procedures for these exams which are SQA accredited. We also gave the candidates a rehearsal in the Studio in advance of their exam and they loved having space to dance after months of practising in their bedrooms or lounges at home. These exams will definitely be a unique experience!
Congratulations!
Many congratulations to the 87 students who sat a filmed exam from Pre-Primary right up to Grade 8. We have a special mention for our Grade 8 candidates who were able to complete their final award after their years of dance with CSBS. They all showed great resilience and determination. We now need to wait for the results to come in! You can view a small gallery of photos on our CSBS Facebook page.
Unfortunately, around 45% of our Spring candidates decided not to sit their rescheduled exam now after months away from the studio, despite attending our online lessons. They will still be able to progress to the next grade but will not have their certificates and award to recognise the great progress and effort they've made over this challenging time. We may have a small Winter session of filmed exams and hope that our Spring session in 2021 will either be able to proceed as normal or as a filmed session.