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What are the Performance Awards?

The ISTD Performance Awards are inclusive new qualifications, designed to recognise students for their confidence, musicality, and performance skills, these awards offer a fresh and flexible approach - without the pressure of set choreography or syllabus requirements.

Date for diary
Performance awards will be bookable from Monday 16 February.

Key Features

  • Genre-wide: An inclusive qualification designed to celebrate expressive performance across all Theatre genres. There is no restriction on genres and can be taken in any dance style, even styles the ISTD does not offer syllabi in. 
  • Inclusive and accessible: Open to all ages and abilities 
  • Flexible format: No fixed choreography; students perform material suited to their strengths
  • Levels: Offered at 6 levels, called Stages
  • Solo, duet, trio and group options:  
    • Solos, duets, trios (1–3 dancers): Individual reports and badges
    • Groups (4+ dancers): Group report, individual certificates and badges.
 
 

Ways that the ISTD Performance Awards could be used: 

  • Embedded within existing exam days to maximise scheduling 
  • Recognition for students not yet ready for graded exams 
  • Opportunity for new joiners to participate without full syllabus preparation 
  • Preparation tool for competitions, offering examiner feedback before festival entry 
  • Adult groups (ballet, tap, contemporary) can work towards achievable goals 
  • Incentivises exploration of new genres within schools 
  • Useful for after-school clubs, PE lessons, and community dance programmes 
  • Valuable in state school contexts as an end-of-term filming project 

Performance Awards Specification

Download now

Award Levels

Six stages reflect progression. Teachers may select the most appropriate stage for each student/group. 

Stage 

Objective 

Learners will… 
Stage 1  Promote self-confidence  Participate with commitment in a performance 
Stage 2 Develop performance skills  Participate with physical awareness 
Stage 3 Develop audience awareness  Show basic understanding of dance movement 
Stage 4 Develop individuality  Apply sound understanding of dance performance 
Stage 5 Develop confidence and artistry  Apply established understanding 
Stage 6  Gain self-expression and artistry  Apply considerable understanding 

Assessment Model 

  • Assessment focused on performance skills, musicality, confidence, and commitment
  • Examiner feedback comment for each entry
  • Pass / Merit / Distinction outcomes – no numbered or lettered grades
  • Recognition: All candidates receive a certificate and examiner feedback. Badges awarded to mark achievement and level. 

How to enter 

Entering students is simple and flexible: 

  1. Prepare your students for performance at the appropriate level 
  2. Book entries through the ISTD Quest platform (opens February 2026) 
  3. Take part in a live exam at your school or submit performance footage as a remote exam 
  4. Receive feedback, certificates, and badges

Book through Quest

Access Exam Fees here

 
 

Resources for members 


To help you prepare and promote the awards, the digital download toolkit will be available in November:

  • Posters for your studio 
  • Member social media templates 
  • Parent explainer sheet 
  • FAQs 

 

Badges and Certificates

All participants receive:

  • A certificate and examiner comment
  • A collectable pin badge to mark achievement and level*

Colours may indicate level and category (solo/duet/group).

These are a key part of the recognition experience and a memorable takeaway for students.

*Over the coming months ahead of the the launch of the Awards on Quest in February - more information will be released about the collectable pin badges to members.

 

Quest bookings will open from February 2026