The Guide 2019 TO PRINT.qxp_Layout 1 27/03/2019 14:46 Page 1 UK 2019 GUIDETO PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, EDUCATION AND ASSESSMENT IN THE PERFORMING ARTS UK Guide is sponsored by The Guide 2019 TO PRINT.qxp_Layout 1 27/03/2019 14:46 Page 2 The Guide 2019 TO PRINT.qxp_Layout 1 27/03/2019 14:46 Page 3 03 cdmt.org.uk CDMT is the quality assurance and membership body for the professional dance, drama and musical theatre industries. It is the first point of contact for those seeking information on training, education and assessment in the sector across the UK. Contents Welcome 05 Membership 06 Quality Assurance 08 Accredited Schools 10 Map of Schools 12 Validated Awarding Organisations 14 Graded Exams 17 Affiliates 20 Recognised Awards 22 Careers Conference and Showcase Performance 26 Glyndwr Jones Director CDMT works in partnership with Liz Dale Head of Education and Training Emily Maloney Membership and Office Coordinator Jessica Acton Recognised Awards and Marketing Officer Meryl Knight Finance Officer Front cover: Robin Savage Above: Andy Williams cdmt.org.uk The Guide 2019 TO PRINT.qxp_Layout 1 27/03/2019 14:46 Page 4 Greg Veit Patrons Trustees Adam Cooper Roger Bramble DL Hilary Hadley Craig Phillips Robert Cohan CBE Independent (Chairman) Equity Urdang Academy Len Goodman Shirley Coen Stephen Jameson Andrew Ward Dame Beryl Grey Bird College Mountview Independent Dame Monica Mason Michael Dixon Dr Andrew McBirnie Sarah Wilson Dame Antoinette Sibley Roundhouse Royal Academy of Dance Laine Theatre Arts Sir Peter Wright Independent (Hon. Treasurer) Louise Norman Jonathan Wood John Gardyne Society of London Theatre Weil, Gotshal & Manges Trinity College London and UK Theatre Independent David Grindrod Annette Pearson Casting Director National Association Independent of Teachers of Dancing The Guide 2019 TO PRINT.qxp_Layout 1 27/03/2019 14:46 Page 5 05 40th anniversary of the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre Welcome to a special 40th anniversary edition of the UK Guide to Professional Training, Education and Assessment in the Performing Arts shared with you during this milestone year for the organisation. Across the pages that follow are highlighted many of the finest professional schools, awarding organisations and other institutions whose commitment and dedication to the highest standards of teaching, learning and development in dance, drama and musical theatre are the envy of countless across the UK and further afield. These institutions open themselves to scrutiny and collective stewardship by our organisation with the purpose of confirming a benchmark of quality. In turn, this standard serves to provide comfort and reassurance to students and their guardians when selecting an appropriate path towards achievement and advancement in the performing arts. Founded in 1979, this year is our 40th anniversary in serving the sector, delivering expert guidance and support on training, education and assessment to providers of professional courses and qualifications. We further lobby government to ensure that the UK creative industries are underpinned by superior opportunities for students to develop as artists of the highest calibre according to their potential. 2018 saw a change of the company name to the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre which was announced at a reception in the House of Lords, emphasising our growing mission and ambitions within the industry. The CDMT: • Ensures the consistent application of standards across professional schools, conservatoires and awarding organisations, complementing the breadth of disciplines offered by performing arts providers • Promotes outstanding industry-approved institutions which allows prospective students, candidates and their parents to better understand what constitutes excellent provision • Advocates powerfully on behalf of members, increasing their public profile and influence with key industry and political stakeholders • Acts as an authoritative source of information on high quality provision across the sector, informing practitioners and government education authorities in their work. The CDMT provides a UK-wide forum in which authorities, educators and employers can collectively discuss common concerns and work strategically to deliver vital aims. This also ensures that specialist training is complemented by strong advancement pathways at the earlier stages of learning and valued development opportunities for proficient individuals going forward in their careers. The 2019 Guide is special in celebrating a significant milestone for our organisation, as well as providing an authoritative source of information about our members with whom we share a mission for advancing outstanding artistic performance. These institutions make an enormous contribution to the sustainability and international profile of the UK creative industries, a contribution we support and celebrate through confirming quality in dance, drama and musical theatre. Glyndwr Jones Director of the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre cdmt.org.uk The Guide 2019 TO PRINT.qxp_Layout 1 27/03/2019 14:46 Page 6 06 Membership CDMT has proudly served the sector since 1979, working closely with member schools, colleges, awarding organisations and industry bodies to ensure standards remain at a level that secures the supply of quality practitioners for the future. We also lobby authorities on issues of government education policy and funding affecting dance, drama and musical theatre provision nationwide. The classifications offered by CDMT for quality assurance in the delivery of performing arts training, education and assessment are outlined opposite. cdmt.org.uk The Guide 2019 TO PRINT.qxp_Layout 1 27/03/2019 14:46 Page 7 0907 Institutional members Affiliates Recognised Awards scheme This classification includes: This classification comprises the This classification comprises: following courses and programmes: n Accredited Professional Schools, n Pre-vocational Schools Colleges and Conservatoires n Access to Professional Training n Teachers n Validated Awarding Organisations n Performing Arts Training n Continuing Professional Development Main image: Jesús Vallinas Above left to right: Becky Lee, Richard Bass, Guildford Theatre School cdmt.org.uk The Guide 2019 TO PRINT.qxp_Layout 1 27/03/2019 14:46 Page 8 08 Quality Assurance CDMT's mission is to promote excellence in dance, drama and musical theatre training, education and assessment. We achieve this through being the quality assurance body of the sector. Our membership comprises professional training schools, awarding organisations, industry bodies and other education providers. The inspection and evaluation processes for each quality assurance classification are outlined opposite. We welcome CDMT's development and its mission ‘‘ in ensuring the consistent application of training and assessment standards across professional schools, conservatoires and awarding organisations.' Julian Bird ’’ Chief Executive, Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre cdmt.org.uk The Guide 2019 TO PRINT.qxp_Layout 1 27/03/2019 14:46 Page 9 09 Institutional members n have undertaken full institutional inspection Inspection process typically involves submission and programme scrutiny by CDMT of self-evaluation documentation by the applicant n are quality assured and confirmed by CDMT as and a two day visit of the organisation by three meeting the highest industry and institutional industry consultants. standards for the delivery of provision in dance, drama and musical theatre training, education and assessment. Affiliates n have undertaken programme scrutiny and inspection Inspection process typically involves submission of self- of relevant accompanying management by CDMT evaluation documentation by the applicant organisation n are committed to working with CDMT to develop the and a one-day inspection of the relevant programme by highest standards of programme provision across one or two industry consultants, depending on category. the performing arts. If successful, the Affiliate will subsequently undergo an annual monitoring visit. Recognised Awards holders n have undertaken desk-based checks by CDMT Inspection process involves a 'self-certification' system with desk-based checks of submitted papers carried out n promote the appropriate requirements for teachers and support students' progression in dance, drama by a member of CDMT office staff. and musical theatre education. Robert Workman cdmt.org.uk The Guide 2019 TO PRINT.qxp_Layout 1 27/03/2019 14:46 Page 10 10 Accredited Schools CDMT ensures the provision of high quality professional dance, drama and musical theatre training through the Accreditation of full-time performing arts schools and colleges, providing the industry benchmark of quality since 1979. Full Accreditation is only awarded to those schools and colleges that have successfully undertaken a thorough and comprehensive, institutional level review by a panel of CDMT nominated industry experts. CDMT Accredited schools offer a huge variety of courses that vary in aims, content and qualifications. They typically cover a range of disciplines including: acting, ballet, commercial, jazz and urban dance, drama and musical theatre, etc. CDMT Accredited schools offer: n qualifications such as the Trinity College London Level 5 and 6 Diplomas in Professional Acting, Dance and Musical Theatre; BA Hons Degrees; teaching qualifications and private Diplomas n full membership of Equity (the UK trade union for professional performers) on successful graduation