THE DIPLOMA 14–19

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the advantages for me, as an RAD teacher, of getting involved with the Diploma?

It could give you the opportunity of working closely with a school/college through teaching their students, either within their premises or at your own school. It is hoped that this is an opportunity to increase your business.

2. Have any of the other dance awarding bodies been approved as CAB’s for ASL?

Currently, only the RAD and ISTD, amongst the Dance Teaching Societies.

3. Is it possible that a consortium may wish to send their students to a particular RAD or other awarding body school in their area?

Yes, potentially this is why it is important for teachers to make links locally as soon as possible. However, it is far more likely that students themselves will drive the interest by asking whether their RAD work can be counted towards their Diploma. The more informed you are, the more likely you will be able to provide informed advice to students and parents.

4. Who will be offering the Diploma?

No, only those consortia that have been approved to do so for 2008. And not all schools/colleges in a consortium will necessarily offer the Creative and Media Diploma. Others will be approved in due course.

5. How will I know if there is an approved consortium in my area?

We have published a list of the approved consortia offering the Creative and Media Diploma, on the Examinations Board Section of the website.

6. Can groups of RAD teachers in the same area form a consortium?

No, each consortium consists of schools and/or colleges providing full-time secondary education which have had to meet rigorous criteria in order to be approved to offer the Diploma.

7. Will you be allowing teachers who are not registered or are not recognised by mutual agreement to enter candidates for Graded and Vocational Graded Examinations for the Diploma?

No, eligibility to enter candidates for examinations will remain exactly the same as it is now. And currently this means that only RAD Registered teachers and teachers recognised by mutual recognition may enter candidates for RAD examinations.

8. If I own a dance school, will I be able to offer work experience to students studying for the Diploma?

This may be possible, subject to your being able to fulfil specific conditions. If you wish to offer work experience, you should let your local consortium know.

9. How will RAD examinations count towards the Diploma?

Qualifications for ASL must be at the level of the Diploma being studied or above. Students have to complete a certain number of guided learning hours for ASL as follows:

Level 1 120
Level 2 180
Level 3 360

RAD examinations have been allocated guided learning hours as follows:

Grade 1 40
Grade 2 40
Grade 3 40
Grade 4 50
Grade 5 50
Grade 6 60
Grade 7 60
Grade 8 60
Intermediate Foundation 100
Intermediate 100
Advanced Foundation 150
Advanced 1 150
Advanced 2 150

10. Who was responsible for allocating the guided learning hours?

The hours were allocated by QCA after consulting with the RAD

11. What will the mechanism be for having RAD examinations counted towards an individual student’s Diploma?

All students who are registered for the Diploma will be allocated a Unique Learner Number (ULN) which will be applied for by the Consortium with which they are registered for the Diploma. The Academy will, from September 2008, have a space on entry forms for this number to be filled in if applicable. RAD results for Diploma students will then be submitted with this number to the Diploma Aggregation Service which has been set up to collate and aggregate all examination results relating to the Diploma.

What happens if students have already passed RAD examinations prior to registering for the Diploma?

Examinations in the catalogue of qualifications for ASL which have been passed since 1 January 2005 may be claimed towards a student’s allocation of hours.

12. How does the new Diploma equate to GCSE and A levels?

The Level 1 Diploma is equivalent in size to 5 GCSEs at Grades D-G.
The Level 2 Diploma is equivalent in size to 7 GCSEs at Grades A-C.
The Level 3 Diploma is equivalent in size to 3-5 A’ levels.

13. Will students still be able to study for GCSE and A levels?

Yes, they will be able to study for GCSE and/or A levels either alongside or as part of the Diploma.

14. Who will be undertaking the examining of RAD examinations for the Diploma?

This will be carried out by RAD examiners in the normal way.

15. Will the Diploma be available in all countries of the UK?

No, it is only being introduced in England. Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland each have their own school curriculum.

16. I am a teacher outside the UK – can I be involved with the Diploma?

No, however we are constantly striving to find ways in which our Graded and Vocational Graded qualifications can be recognised internationally. Having our qualifications linked with the Diploma in England will ensure that they maintain the high status necessary for government recognition outside the UK.

17. Where can I find out more about the Diploma?

We will be keeping you informed of developments related to Additional Specialist Learning and examinations through the Examinations Board section of the website.