Customer Services: Quality Assurance Reminders

New Candidates
We would just like to remind teachers that the beginning of the autumn term, particularly when you have new, very young students, is the time to look carefully at their ages to make sure that they are in the right group for their age.

The entry ages for our examinations vary depending on the type of examination and the Faculty, so please check their ages against what they are working towards, as it is very upsetting if we have to refuse entry close to an examination.

We do recognise that particularly those children who were born in the summer may be a problem if you hold examinations before their qualifying age – so we do make an extra allowance of 60 days from the examination date to include those who otherwise would fall outside the entry criteria.

At the same time, it is a good idea to register all your new candidates with us – it doesn’t matter when they are likely to take an examination, but it will speed up your entry at that time if all your pupils already have their pin numbers.

Candidates with Disabilities
The ISTD encourages candidates with disabilities to enter examinations. Please see the Equal Opportunities page for guidance >>

An Application for Reasonable Adjustments form must be completed and sent to the Customer Services & Quality Assurance department each time the candidate takes an examination as their condition and the requirements of the examination may vary over time. It is important though, that teachers and parents realise that the reason for requesting the information is to make sure that we adjust the examination conditions if necessary, for example by allowing extra breaks and more time and most importantly making sure that the examiner knows the candidate’s problem. It does not change the standard of the marking, as this would be unfair to all other candidates, so it is important that teachers and parents consider the reason for them taking the examination, especially if there is a chance they might not meet the minimum standard.

We appreciate that often a child with a disability may wish to take part to be like everyone else, but in some cases, this could mean they will not pass the examination, so in such cases please contact the Customer Services & Quality Assurance Department who are happy to discuss and advise, especially in complex situations. Over 600 such candidates entered our examinations in the last year, at all levels and with many different types of disabilities. Feedback from them shows that they were happy with their experience, the challenge it presented to them, and gained satisfaction in their achievements.

Dancesport News
From October 1st 2006 the rule which permits a candidate who fails an examination to retake it, is changed from a thirty day gap between the two dates, to three months.

This brings the rule for Danceport and Theatre examinations into line, and allows for the time for full processing of an enquiry into the result if necessary.

CD/Tape operators
There have recently been some cases where the CD or tape operator at an examination session has then appeared as a candidate for the examiner.

Teachers are reminded that the operator should not be the teacher, or a candidate, or a parent of a candiate; that they should not face the candidates or communicate with them; and that they should act professionally at all times.

Charges for re-writing report sheets/certificates
Teachers are advised that with immediate effect, there may be a charge of £10 for the re-writing of candidate report sheets due to spelling errors made by the teacher, or where report sheets have been lost.

A similar £10 charge will be made for the re-issue of certificates in such cases. It is important therefore that teachers make sure that the checklist and timetable entries are correct on receipt and advise of any corrections before the examination.