Examinations
Examinations take place twice yearly ( March and November). Pupils will be assessed in class for whether or not they will take exams. Exams are a very important aspect of the dance school and are taken very seriously. Pupils wishing to take exams must have regular attendance at lessons and be consistent in their learning and performance in class. Having excellent technique is essential for gaining top marks in exams and pupils who demonstrate this in class will be chosen to be put forward for exams.
Once pupils are entered for Grade 3 and above exams in any style of dance and are aged 10 years and over, pupils can be chosen for a scholorship by the examiner. This is a huge achievement and only pupils who gain top marks and demonstrate an excellent technique and performance standard within their exam maybe chosen by the examiner at their discretion. Only a small number of pupils are chosen from around the country for scholorships with The British Association of Dancing.
Recent Scholorships
November 2008 – Amelia McDonald Junior Stage
November 2009 – Amelia McDonald Junior Modern/Jazz
Shannon Webb Junior Modern/Jazz
Shauna Armitage Junior Modern/Jazz
Lucy Sherlock Senior Modern/Jazz
Shauna Armitage Junior Ballet
Lucy Sherlock Senior Ballet
Group Competitions
Over the past couple of years the school has competed in a number of group competitions both locally and nationally.
The school has had excellent results and achieved 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places across all age groups and styles.
The school takes part in a number of group competitions throughout the year. Pupils must attend regularly and demonstrate good technique and performance skills within classes to be chosen as part of the competition teams. Parents must be aware that extra lessons are essential for competition practice and attendance at these lessons is not optional. Costumes are also required for competitions and these are generally more expensive than show costumes etc.
Recent achievements include:
Central Productions Birmingham Heat November 2007
2nd Place Juvenile Section
3rd Place Junior Section
Central Productions Grand Final Blackpool January 2008
3rd Place Juvenile Section
Central Productions Manchester Heat June 2008
1st Place Juvenile Section
2nd Place Open Section
Central Productions Grand Final Blackpool January 2009
4th Place Juvenile Section
Central Productions Ellesmere Port Heat November 2009
1st Place Juvenile Section
2nd Place Junior Section
1st Place Open Section
Central Productions Grand Final January 2010
2nd Place Juvenile Section
Central Productions Group Competition Heats
Ellesmere Port, November
Juvenile - 2nd Place
Junior - 2nd Place
Open - 3rd Place
Central Productions Group Competition Grand Final
Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Juvenile - 2nd Place
Solo Competitions
As part of pupils development within the school pupils can be selected to take part in solo competitions. These competitions take place three times a year. Pupils chosen have to have an excellent standard of technique and pertain outstanding performance abilities across all areas of dance.
Pupils chosen have to attend private lessons to learn their routines. Once routines have been learned pupils are expected to continue to practice their routines in their own time throughout the year. This should be at least once a week and up to three/four times a week when approaching a competition.
Over the last few years pupils selected for these competitions have gained excellent results including 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in Modern, Tap and Ballet.
Congratulations to Poppy O’Neil who was selected for the ‘Best of Show Scholorship’ at the IDTA Manchester Dance Festival in Bury (July 2009) out of 150 competitors. Poppy was selected alongside 15 other pupils.
Also congratulations to Amelia McDonald, Clarice Heyes and Shauna Smith in their tap trio (Sing Sing Sing) for being selected as part of the Festival Favourites at the Stockport Stage and Dance festival in April 2010 alongside just 16 other competitors and acts.
