Examinations are available with various British Dance Council Accredited awarding bodies, who demand one of the highest standards of examination performance in the United Kingdom, of which our Principal is also an Examiner.
The development of a medallist starts with a simple Intro Award. Generally, this level is achievable after about 3 months of dance experience and is the first rung on the Medallist ladder.
For the Under 8’s there are the fabulous awards which work as a great incentive at this important age.
We feel that being involved in the Medal Exams is an integral part of the development of good dancing, as it sets a benchmark for both the teacher and the pupil and ensures that enjoyable choreography is balanced with good sound technique. As our Principal always says “it is easier to dance well than badly!”
Examination sessions are held 3 times a year and we currently enjoy an unbroken 33-year record of a 100% pass rate.
Examinations are administered across different age brackets, namely:
Under 8 Years
Juvenile (under 12 years)
Junior (12 to under 16 years)
Adult (16 years and older)
As the required examination standards escalate with each age group, it is required to recommence examinations from the Bronze level upon transitioning to a higher age bracket. This ensures the attainment of the elevated level of knowledge demanded.
Examination Grades Available as an example, are as follows:-
Under 8 Years
Princess Award (Blue or Pink)
Pirate Award
Uni-Ted Awards (Master Plaque)
Uni-Ted Badges
Gold Bear
Top Ted Statuette
Juvenile, Junior, Adult
Intro 1 (C)
Intro 2 (W)
Intro 3 (R)
Intro 4 (Q)
Pre-Bronze Badge 1 Ballroom (W)
Pre-Bronze Badge 1 Latin (C)
Pre-Bronze Badge 2 Ballroom (Q)
Pre-Bronze Badge 2 Latin (J)
Bronze Ballroom (W, Q)
Bronze Latin (CCC, J)
Bronze Bar Ballroom (F, T)
Bronze Bar Latin (R, S)
Silver Ballroom (W, F, Q)
Silver Latin (CCC, R, J)
Gold Ballroom (W, T, F, Q)
Gold Latin (CCC, S, R, J)
Gold Bar 1 Ballroom (W, T, F, Q)
Gold Bar 1 Latin (CCC, S, R, J)
Gold Bar 2 Ballroom (W, T, F, Q)
Gold Bar 2 Latin (CCC, S, R, J)
Gold Bar 3 Ballroom Statuette (W, T, F, Q)
Gold Bar 3 Latin Statuette (CCC, S, R, J)
Laurel Ballroom (W, T, F, Q)
Laurel Latin (CCC, S, R, J)
Gold Star 1 Ballroom (W, T, F, Q)
Gold Star 1 Latin (CCC, S, R, J)
Gold Star 2 Ballroom (W, T, F, Q)
Gold Star 2 Latin (CCC, S, R, J)
Gold Star 3 Ballroom (W, T, F, Q)
Gold Star 3 Latin (CCC, S, R, J)
President’s Award Ballroom (W, T, F, Q, VW)
Presidents Award Latin (CCC, S, R, J, PD)
Professional Teacher’s Qualifications
Professional Preliminary Student Ballroom
Professional Preliminary Student Latin
Professional Anatomy Module
Professional Student Ballroom
Professional Student Latin
Associate Ballroom
Associate Latin
Licentiate Ballroom
Licentiate Latin
Fellowship Ballroom
Fellowship Latin
All About Exams
Our principal Phil Meacham has not only attained the highest qualifications possible in Ballroom and Latin American dance in the United Kingdom but is also an Examiner working under the auspices of the British Dance Council. We are therefore best placed to guide you through the examination process and able to give you the greatest chance of an outstanding result for your dance examinations.
As a guide, below is a list of criteria we aim at for anyone taking an examination, all of which should be in place in good time for the Pre-Test.
What Do I Need To Pass My Examination?
RAINBOWS
Candidate should be able to demonstrate:
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Good knowledge of the routine
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Dance on time
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Show correct footwork
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Correct posture
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Curtsey when presented to the examiner
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Appropriate Examination Dress:
Juvenile Girls - either a BDC Juvenile dress or party dress, white ankle socks
Juvenile Boys – Black Trousers, Black Socks, white shirt and Tie or Bow Tie.
Intro & Pre-Bronze
Candidate should be able to demonstrate:-
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Know the routine well
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Dance on time
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Show correct footwork in Ballroom, Leg and Ankle Action in Latin
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Start to use Rise and Fall Correct posture, with correct head positioning
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Appropriate Examination Dress:
Juvenile Girls - either a BDC Juvenile dress or party dress, white ankle socks
Juvenile Boys – Black Trousers, Black Socks, white shirt and Tie or Bow Tie.
Ladies: Dress, or skirt and top or proper ballroom/Latin outfit (tights must be worn - Red or Flesh coloured fishnets or flesh coloured tights.No black tights or leggings
Gents Black Trousers, Black Socks, white shirt and Tie or Bow Tie shirt or proper ballroom/Latin outfit,
Ladies Hair to be tied back in a bun. If the hair is not long enough then must be neat and tidy
BRONZE
Candidate should be able to demonstrate:-
-
Know the routine well
-
Dance on time
-
Show correct footwork in Ballroom, Leg and Ankle Action in Latin
-
Start to use Rise and Fall
-
Correct posture, with correct head positioning
-
Appropriate Examination Dress:
Juvenile Girls - either a BDC Juvenile dress or party dress, white ankle socks
Juvenile Boys – Black Trousers, Black Socks, white shirt and Tie or Bow Tie.
Ladies: Dress, or skirt and top or proper ballroom/Latin outfit (tights must be worn - Red or Flesh coloured fishnets or flesh coloured tights.No black tights or leggings
Gents Black Trousers, Black Socks, white shirt and Tie or Bow Tie shirt or proper ballroom/Latin outfit,
Ladies Hair to be tied back in a bun. If the hair is not long enough then must be neat and tidy
Ballroom or Latin shoes must be worn
SILVER
Candidate should be able to demonstrate:-
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Know the routine well
-
Dance on time
-
Show correct footwork in Ballroom, Leg and Ankle Action in Latin
-
Use Rise and Fall
-
Show correct CBM and CBMP
-
Correct posture, with correct head positioning
-
Appropriate Examination Dress:
Juvenile Girls - either a BDC Juvenile dress or party dress, white ankle socks
Juvenile Boys – Black Trousers, Black Socks, white shirt and Tie or Bow Tie.
Ladies: Dress, or skirt and top or proper ballroom/Latin outfit (tights must be worn - Red or Flesh coloured fishnets or flesh coloured tights.No black tights or leggings
Gents Black Trousers, Black Socks, white shirt and Tie or Bow Tie shirt or proper ballroom/Latin outfit,
Ladies Hair to be tied back in a bun. If hair is not long enough then must be neat and tidy
-
Ballroom or Latin shoes must be worn
GOLD & ABOVE
Candidate should be able to demonstrate:
-
Know the routine well
-
Dance on time
-
Show correct footwork in Ballroom, Leg and Ankle Action in Latin
-
Use correct Rise and Fall throughout
-
Use correct CBM and CBMP throughout
-
Use sway
-
Correct posture, with correct head positioning
-
Appropriate Examination Dress:
Juvenile Girls - either a BDC Juvenile dress or party dress, white ankle socks
Juvenile Boys – Black Trousers, Black Socks, white shirt and Tie or Bow Tie.
Ladies: Dress, or skirt and top or proper ballroom/Latin outfit (tights must be worn - Red or Flesh coloured fishnets or flesh coloured tights. No black tights or leggings
Gents Black Trousers, Black Socks, white shirt and Tie or Bow Tie shirt or proper ballroom/Latin outfit,
Ladies Hair to be tied back in a bun. If hair is not long enough then must be neat and tidy
Ballroom or Latin shoes must be worn