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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Pre primary dancing exams

65 replies

User4891 · 04/02/2023 13:58

When do kids generally take their Pre-primary modern exam? DD will be 5 soon and a couple of friends of similar age have been told they will be doing their exam in a few weeks but it doesn't look like she's been put forward to do it... She's been dancing since age 2. With very little feedback as to how she's doing it's difficult to know exactly what the teachers are thinking or how close she is to being ready to take any of the exams.They only do exams twice a year. I'm a bit concerned tbh that she attends every week pretty much without fail and yet isn't being put in for the exam. Am I being one of 'those parents' to ask how close she is to doing it and whether they intend to put her in next time? I just don't want this to turn into her being strung along and not being progessed as quickly as her peers as this will eventually knock her confidence. What age did your kids take pre-primary exams?

OP posts:
VariationsonaTheme · 04/02/2023 14:11

You don’t mention the exam board but it might be that she needs to be 5 before she takes it. RAD ballet pre-primary for instance has this requirement.

Original poster
User4891 · 04/02/2023 14:18

It's ISTD I think and I don't believe there's an age limit as I think one of them taking is a smidge younger than my child.

OP posts:
LIZS · 04/02/2023 14:20

Iirc 6/7. Modern tends to be more physically demanding than ether genres. Do they do any class exams?

Original poster
User4891 · 04/02/2023 14:24

LIZS · 04/02/2023 14:20

Iirc 6/7. Modern tends to be more physically demanding than ether genres. Do they do any class exams?

In my dd's school they almost all take their modern exam first and tap quite a bit after. No group exams just exam sittings twice a year.

OP posts:
floatswind · 04/02/2023 14:38

Pre primary I thought was a class exam, if that makes sense. I think minimum age might be five years. There will be an age minimum/requirement most certainly.

What other dance does she do? Just to add for future (and your DC us obviously very young) that once a week class, even with excellent attendance, progress might not be as quick as those who also do private lessons, competitions (my five year old did ballet and other solos) and other extra classes.

Original poster
User4891 · 04/02/2023 14:48

floatswind · 04/02/2023 14:38

Pre primary I thought was a class exam, if that makes sense. I think minimum age might be five years. There will be an age minimum/requirement most certainly.

What other dance does she do? Just to add for future (and your DC us obviously very young) that once a week class, even with excellent attendance, progress might not be as quick as those who also do private lessons, competitions (my five year old did ballet and other solos) and other extra classes.

Sorry I don't think there is a 'pre-primary' in modern I think this is the primary exam they are going for. She does the main 3 lessons. I'm not aware that there's an option of competitions/festivals at this age in her school and if there is it hasn't been presented to her

OP posts:
VariationsonaTheme · 04/02/2023 14:52

Istd recommended age for pre/primary is 5 so it wouldn’t be expected that she’d do it before then, she’s certainly not ‘behind’ in any way. However, I would just ask the teacher, if it’s important to you and her that she does the exam.

Teeshirt · 04/02/2023 14:54

She’s only four! There’s no need to take exams at this age, or any age. My DD is a professional dancer and didn’t have a single lesson before age eight, and never took any exams. It’s pointless starting exams so early unless you’ve got money to burn.

Original poster
User4891 · 04/02/2023 15:18

Teeshirt · 04/02/2023 14:54

She’s only four! There’s no need to take exams at this age, or any age. My DD is a professional dancer and didn’t have a single lesson before age eight, and never took any exams. It’s pointless starting exams so early unless you’ve got money to burn.

I get what you mean but....There's every need to take exams if her peers are moving to more difficult lessons and she's stuck with kids younger than her. There's every need for exams if the teachers focus on the kids taking the exams (and bringing them to the front of the class) as my dd is reporting that they're doing. There's every need for exams if it's the only actual confirmation that she's actually learning something when I'm spending a fortune on lessons....

OP posts:
LIZS · 04/02/2023 15:20

Honestly, don't get sucked into that mindset. At dd classes the whole group moved "up" whether they took exams or not.

floatswind · 04/02/2023 15:25

Sorry I don't think there is a 'pre-primary' in modern I think this is the primary exam they are going for. She does the main 3 lessons. I'm not aware that there's an option of competitions/festivals at this age in her school and if there is it hasn't been presented to her

ISTD Modern Theatre dance have class examinations for pre primary and primary modern theatre. Minimum age appears to be 5.

That's from their website. Just ask the teacher, but I don't think you need be concerned at this age.

Look at their social media pages, or just ask (if interested) to see what the school offers.

Original poster
User4891 · 04/02/2023 15:27

LIZS · 04/02/2023 15:20

Honestly, don't get sucked into that mindset. At dd classes the whole group moved "up" whether they took exams or not.

That's fine but that isn't what happens in dd's school. They move up when they're ready. After this sitting of exams she will be left in her primary modern class which will be either younger kids who haven't even started school yet or kids who hardly ever attend. That's the reality in her dance school so I think if she isn't progressing I'm entitled to wonder why. It isn't cheap for a start...

OP posts:
VariationsonaTheme · 04/02/2023 15:50

Some four year olds are more in control of their bodies than others, no matter how long they've been attending lessons. If she’s not ready to move up then she’s not ready. But you won’t know until you ask.

taxi4ballet · 04/02/2023 15:58

She'll be ready when she's ready, and kids develop co-ordination, musicality and strength at different times. There's nothing to be concerned about. In fact if they do exams twice a year, you are pretty lucky as most schools do them once a year, and a few less often than that.

The teacher will be bringing the ones taking their exam to the front of the class at the moment, because they are being prepared for the exam, and the rest of the class will go to the front when it is their turn to do their exam.

Original poster
User4891 · 04/02/2023 16:40

She has excellent strength and coordination. I think if anything it's imitating the moves and listening to the instructors that she struggles with but I see very little of what she does so who even knows

OP posts:
Teeshirt · 04/02/2023 16:55

User4891 · 04/02/2023 16:40

She has excellent strength and coordination. I think if anything it's imitating the moves and listening to the instructors that she struggles with but I see very little of what she does so who even knows

But imitating the moves and listening to the instructor are essential. If she’s not ready for these yet, she needs more time. That’s completely fine.

LIZS · 04/02/2023 17:44

It is equally possible to take time initially then accelerate, even missing grades out.

Original poster
User4891 · 04/02/2023 18:04

LIZS · 04/02/2023 17:44

It is equally possible to take time initially then accelerate, even missing grades out.

I think the thing that's deflating is that she goes every week pretty much without fail. I know I probably sound a bit loopy but it's literally all the kids who are reception age who will be moving up without her. She will be in year one before she next gets chance to take it and in the same class with mostly preschoolers or kids who only turn up every few weeks. I know they can only enter her when she's ready but I can't really see this encouraging her to be more mature about learning the dances and taking direction....

OP posts:
Teeshirt · 04/02/2023 18:08

User4891 · 04/02/2023 18:04

I think the thing that's deflating is that she goes every week pretty much without fail. I know I probably sound a bit loopy but it's literally all the kids who are reception age who will be moving up without her. She will be in year one before she next gets chance to take it and in the same class with mostly preschoolers or kids who only turn up every few weeks. I know they can only enter her when she's ready but I can't really see this encouraging her to be more mature about learning the dances and taking direction....

Show quote history

But it’s an exam… The teacher can only enter her when she’s ready for it. It wouldn’t be very encouraging for her if she failed it. That would be worse.

Overthebow · 04/02/2023 18:10

This happens at lots of dance schools. Not all kids are ready at the same time and some need a bit longer. It wouldn’t be fair on her to be put in for an exam which she gets a very low mark for or doesn’t pass. It’s a tough lesson to learn but kids are going to be good at everything.

Namechange828492 · 04/02/2023 18:10

ds is only taking his pre syllabus now and he is 4 almost 5. His class are all the same age

Teeshirt · 04/02/2023 18:12

I meant to add, are you sure she actually likes going to dance classes? Maybe she’d rather do something else. What’s she like at normal school for listening to the teacher and following instructions?

NerrSnerr · 04/02/2023 18:17

Does she enjoy the classes? At her age she shouldn't care whether she's with younger children or ones who don't dance as much.

It may be worth asking the teacher so you know where you are but if she's having fun does it really matter?

Original poster
User4891 · 04/02/2023 18:29

NerrSnerr · 04/02/2023 18:17

Does she enjoy the classes? At her age she shouldn't care whether she's with younger children or ones who don't dance as much.

It may be worth asking the teacher so you know where you are but if she's having fun does it really matter?

Yes she enjoys the classes I think and never doesn't want to go. Yes I know she shouldn't care but there's a massive difference in the maturity and learning capacity of a preschooler vs a Y1. I know she can only be entered when she's ready I just wish I could get some feedback as to why she isn't ready and whether she's likely to be ready in the near future

OP posts:
taxi4ballet · 04/02/2023 18:34

I just wish I could get some feedback as to why she isn't ready and whether she's likely to be ready in the near future.

Perhaps you could talk to her dance teacher then, and see what they say.

To be totally honest, dance classes for small children are pretty much likened to herding cats until they are at least 5/6.