Accreditation

During 2009 we collaborated with Trinity Guildhall to pilot a programme of assessing our courses for a Certificate in Musical Theatre in Production. As a result we are now intending to roll this out across our suite of courses during the next year, funds permitting. The Certificate is a Group examination which means that instead of students being assessed solo or in pairs, the whole group is assessed for their delivery of the final production and all receive the same level of Certificate.

The Certificates are divided into 3 levels which sit within the National Qualifications Framework / Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (NQF / SCQF) as follows:

• Music Theatre for All will be assessed for a Grade 4 Certificate. This is the equivalent skills level to a GCSE Grade A-C.
• Sumer Skills will be assessed for a Grade 6 Certificate. This is the equivalent skills level to an AS level
• Productuions will be assessed for a Grade 8 Certificate (the highest available). This is the equivalent skills level to an A level

Each Grade may be awarded as a Pass, Merit or Distinction. Grade 8 Distinction is therefore the highest award available. Note that although the skills level might be a GCSE equivalent, this does not mean that it is the same as a GCSE; the number of contact hours is fewer and therefore the breadth of the course is less. To reach a  GCSE in Drama a pupil might be reasonably expected to undertake 120 hours of school contact time plus homework, whereas a normal YMT course of a week would probably entail 40-45 hours of direct work. However, the assessment will give a general idea of the level achieved which in some cases might be considerably higher than that achieved by a student of a similar age in school. For instance, one 13 year old on the pilot scheme received a Grade 8 Distinction, i.e a top Grade at A level equivalent.

Most importantly, though, our courses are meant to be enjoyable, voluntary activities which give young people an insight into what the real professional world of the theatre looks like. Our staff are not teachers and it is not meant to feel like being in school. We hope that none of the participants will spend their week(s) worrying about the exam element. The examiner slips in and out very quietly and most participants are blissfully unaware of his or her presence! They do, of course, value the Certificate that arrives a few weeks later.

The courses are being assessed by Trinity Guildhall, one of the country's leading examination boards, an amalgamation of the two long standing exam boards of Trinity College and Guildhall School of Music and Drama. We are working with Trinity Guildhall to develop a whole range of colaborations including assessment of courses, Continuous Professional Development for practitioners and the commissioning of new work.

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