Programme Dance Grading
The grading of dances for the social dance programmes at Summer School was trialled in 2023 and had excellent feedback. The system was subsequently utilised at Winter School and Summer School from 2024 onwards.
An Education and Training Committee Working Group of experienced teachers was set up to apply the grading system to the complete canon of RSCDS dances.
Any dance grading system is going to be subjective. It is intended as guidance for branches and others for devising dance programmes and it is expected that there will be local variations where some dances that are more familiar in that area may therefore be categorised in a lower level.
The grading definitions will also help programme devisors to assess the level of dances outwith the RSCDS canon for inclusion on their dance programmes if required. It is advised that any such dance grading assessment should be carried out by experienced teachers, or dancers with the relevant skills.
The Dance Grading excel document for programme devising has the option to edit so that Branches and programme devisors can create their own data base of dances used locally and the grading symbols for use with dance programmes are available below, if branches/programme devisors choose to use them.
The documents will be updated as and when required and will have a version number to make it easy for people to check and update as necessary.
Branches and teachers are encouraged to explain the grading system to all members and the reasons behind the process:
- To encourage confidence for dancers in their level of ability at social dances
- To produce well balanced dance programmes relevant to the type of event
- To link with the guide to assisting dancers with dementia and other conditions (in the RSCDS resources for Teachers) and help foster a more inclusive atmosphere at social dances.
