Frequently asked questions

If you can’t find the answer to your query, please contact us and we’d be happy to help. Additionally, if your students frequently ask you a specific question, let us know and we’ll upload this FAQ onto the website.

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Is it ok to film exam sessions?

School principals may allow open examination session to be filmed, however anyone filming must be advised that they must not post the footage on social media sites.

All Grade, Performer Award and professional examinations must be conducted in private sessions only and must NOT be filmed.
Does the IDTA offer First Aid training?

Unfortunately we don’t offer or arrange first aid training courses for our members. However, we recommend courses organised by St John’s Ambulance Service, who provide training at venues across the UK. http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/training-courses.aspx
Does the IDTA have a Social Media Policy?

Yes, follow the link to this page.
Can I trust this email?

It has been brought to our attention that recently an individual (or individuals) has been approaching members who have a school profile on our website, offering to build them a website for their school. These individuals are not connected to IDTA and we do not provide any website design service to our members. Unfortunately, as is the nature of the internet, as soon as you publish any contact details (be it email, telephone or sometimes even social media) you will start receiving junk emails or cold calls. We try to protect our members by hiding email addresses behind a click button however there is no 100% effective defence against junk marketing.

In this instance, as we cannot verify the authenticity of said individuals we would advise all members to show caution when responding to emails or calls. The safest way to deal with unsolicited junk emails or cold calls is the tried and tested way: If you didn’t request any information or contact, then delete the email or promptly end the telephone call by informing the caller that you are not interested in what they are selling.

If you believe the caller/email to be genuine then make sure to check their credentials and offers thoroughly before agreeing to anything. The Companies House website offers a business check service that you can use as a starting point to check details on any registered company in the UK. Never rely entirely on a single email, website or the say-so of a cold caller as evidence of authenticity.

The Which? website has some useful information on how to register your telephone number and postal address in order to prevent unwanted junk mail and calls, but the best course of action is always vigilance: Never open email attachments or click links from people you don’t know and never agree to anything over the phone.
Why am I getting cold calls?

It has been brought to our attention that recently an individual (or individuals) has been approaching members who have a school profile on our website, offering to build them a website for their school. These individuals are not connected to IDTA and we do not provide any website design service to our members. Unfortunately, as is the nature of the internet, as soon as you publish any contact details (be it email, telephone or sometimes even social media) you will start receiving junk emails or cold calls. We try to protect our members by hiding email addresses behind a click button however there is no 100% effective defence against junk marketing.

In this instance, as we cannot verify the authenticity of said individuals we would advise all members to show caution when responding to emails or calls. The safest way to deal with unsolicited junk emails or cold calls is the tried and tested way: If you didn’t request any information or contact, then delete the email or promptly end the telephone call by informing the caller that you are not interested in what they are selling.

If you believe the caller/email to be genuine then make sure to check their credentials and offers thoroughly before agreeing to anything. The Companies House website offers a business check service that you can use as a starting point to check details on any registered company in the UK. Never rely entirely on a single email, website or the say-so of a cold caller as evidence of authenticity.

The Which? website has some useful information on how to register your telephone number and postal address in order to prevent unwanted junk mail and calls, but the best course of action is always vigilance: Never open email attachments or click links from people you don’t know and never agree to anything over the phone.
Why am I getting junk mail?

It has been brought to our attention that recently an individual (or individuals) has been approaching members who have a school profile on our website, offering to build them a website for their school. These individuals are not connected to IDTA and we do not provide any website design service to our members. Unfortunately, as is the nature of the internet, as soon as you publish any contact details (be it email, telephone or sometimes even social media) you will start receiving junk emails or cold calls. We try to protect our members by hiding email addresses behind a click button however there is no 100% effective defence against junk marketing.

In this instance, as we cannot verify the authenticity of said individuals we would advise all members to show caution when responding to emails or calls. The safest way to deal with unsolicited junk emails or cold calls is the tried and tested way: If you didn’t request any information or contact, then delete the email or promptly end the telephone call by informing the caller that you are not interested in what they are selling.

If you believe the caller/email to be genuine then make sure to check their credentials and offers thoroughly before agreeing to anything. The Companies House website offers a business check service that you can use as a starting point to check details on any registered company in the UK. Never rely entirely on a single email, website or the say-so of a cold caller as evidence of authenticity.

The Which? website has some useful information on how to register your telephone number and postal address in order to prevent unwanted junk mail and calls, but the best course of action is always vigilance: Never open email attachments or click links from people you don’t know and never agree to anything over the phone.
How long can an exam session be and how many breaks would an examiner need?

Your examination day can be as long as you need it to be but within reason. You can have from 2 hours up to 7 hours per day plus breaks. Depending on the length of time your session runs, the examiner should have a break in the morning, lunchtime and afternoon. The morning and afternoon breaks can be 10 minutes and the lunch can be from 30 – 60 minutes. It is advisable to speak to your allocated examiner to see what they prefer. Please remember your examiner may have a long journey to reach your venue and a long journey to go home at the end of the day.
How do I find out more about Theatre Dance Championships and Festivals?

For an up to date list of Theatre Dance Championships please contact the Theatre Dance Council International at www.tdci.org.uk or email theatredanceci@gmail.com
Where are Miss Dance and Dance Master Heats held?

For an up to date list of Miss Dance and Dance Master UK heats contact IDTA Head Office.
What are the basic qualifications needed to adjudicate a dance festival?

For information on adjudicating at Ballroom dance competitions contact the British Dance Council (BDC) www.bdconline.org

For information on adjudicating at Freestyle dance competitions contact the Association of Dance Freestyle Professionals (ADFP) www.adfp.co.uk

For information on adjudicating at Theatre dance festivals contact the British and International Federation of Festivals (BIFF) www.federationoffestivals.org.uk
I can’t find a dance school near me on the IDTA website?

We are regularly updating this section of our website and adding more IDTA schools. If you can’t find an IDTA dance school on this website, please search on the internet or check your local newspapers for dance school adverts.
How do I find a dance school near me?

Please use the “Find a dance school” page on the website. Many of our member dance teachers use this facility and more schools are being added on a regular basis. Alternatively, search on the internet or check your local newspapers for dance school adverts.
How do I submit an article to the Dance International magazine?

Please send your article and photos via our Contact Form. Please state in the subject line: “Article for Dance International Magazine”. Articles submitted will be reviewed by the editor and included in the next available issue of the magazine. Copy dates for the magazine are printed in each issue.
How do Areas work?

Areas have been in operation for many years and represent an opportunity for members/teachers to gather together and obtain information and guidance specifically for their own needs. This includes engaging lecturers and running competitions – the arrangements for which are made by a committee, elected from the members in that Area. There are eight Ballroom Areas in the British Isles and 10 Theatre Areas.

The IDTA has established a number of Overseas Areas. Details of these meetings are published in the Association’s bi-monthly magazine Dance International and IDTA members can attend all or any of the meetings in any Area.
What is Ofqual?

Various IDTA graded and vocational graded qualifications are recognised by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual), Qualifications Wales and CCEA and appear on the Register and the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW).

Find out more in the Qualifications area of the Members tab.
What fees will I incur when making payments to the IDTA?

We are pleased to be able to announce that from October 2017 there will no longer be a surcharge for paying by debit card, credit card or PayPal.

This will apply to all payments to the IDTA whether that is for membership subscriptions, examination fees, the online shop, etc.
Who can I contact in the Chief Executive’s Office?

Gemma Jackson, Stephanie James and Natalie Daly provide secretarial and administrative support to the Chief Executive of the IDTA. They can be contacted at Head Office if you need to discuss any of the following topics: London Seminar and Annual Congress, Business meetings, Freestyle Scholarships and Freestyle Seminar, Miss Dance of Great Britain and Dance Master UK Heat applications, International Theatre Dance Awards, Nationwide Medallist of the Year Awards, Dance International magazine, Bill Tasker Pre-Associate of the Year, John Dilworth Bursary Awards, Arthur J Gallagher Awards, Overseas Special Commendation, Examiner Training Courses, Applications for Reasonable Adjustment and Special Consideration, Appeals and Complaints.
Who can I speak to in the accounts department?

Tania Patty, Olivia Whymark and Paul Jennings are all based at Head Office and be contacted about any accounts queries and payments. This includes: membership applications and subscription renewals, membership certificates, membership cards, invoicing and payments.
Who can I speak to about examinations?

To speak to someone about examination bookings you can contact either Emma Percy, Giuliana Feo or Tabitha Davenhill, who are all based at Head Office. They can assist you with: applications for examination sessions, allocation of examiners, issuing of report forms and professional reports, plus advice and guidance on examination booking procedures.
Who can I contact about invoicing?

Emma Barnett, Ricky Dawson, Nick Thorpe and Bethany Mallows are all based at Head Office and can be contacted about information on your examination session invoice, processing of your examination session, or issuing of reports, certificates, amateur membership cards (PIN numbers) and performer cards.
Who can I talk to about awards?

Please contact Jason Fox or Steve James at Head Office about awards, certificates, errors and omissions.
What are the office opening hours?

The IDTA Head Office opening hours are Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.30pm (closed for lunch between 12.30pm – 1.00pm). Phone lines will still be manned during lunch.
What dance types are part of the Ballroom genre?

Waltz, Tango, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz
What dance types are part of the Latin genre?

Rumba, Samba, Jive, Cha Cha Cha, Paso Doble
How is the Association managed?

The Board of Directors, elected annually by secret ballot at the Annual General Meeting held in conjunction with the Annual Congress, oversees the governance and operations of the IDTA. The standing committee structures support equally the various sections of the profession with faculty committees, conference committees plus a Finance and General Purposes Committee. The members of each committee are elected from those members with particular expertise, e.g. technical faculties are elected by the Examiners, from the board of Examiners.

The Association is pleased that so many of the famous names in the dance business are or have been officials of the organisation.
What dance disciplines are professional examinations available in?

The Association covers a wide range of dance disciplines, which divide broadly into three categories – ballroom dance, theatre dance and freestyle dance – although there are, of course, substantial overlaps.

Professional examinations are available in the following core subjects:
Ballroom Branch: Ballroom, Latin and Classical Sequence. 
Theatre Branch: Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz and Theatre Craft. 
Freestyle Branch: Freestyle (incorporating Rock ‘n’ Roll, Street Dance, Line Dancing, Cheerleading and Belly Dancing)

Professional examinations are also available in non-core subjects:
Rock ‘n’ Roll, Cheerleading, Line Dancing, Street Dance, Argentine Tango, Salsa, Belly Dancing, Dance Exercise, Gymnastic Dance and Anatomy & Physiology.

Awards for amateurs or social dancers exist for all dance subjects.
I want to understand more about IDTA examiners

Examinations are both oral and performance based and are conducted by a board of IDTA qualified examiners. IDTA examiners must be qualified at Fellowship level in their chosen branch and complete a rigorous application, interview, training and assessment process. Examiners must attend upgrading courses plus annual standardisation and training courses.
I am a parent, who should I contact at the IDTA?

In the first instance please Head Office by phone (01273 685652) or email using the contact form. Our main reception will be able to direct your enquiry.
Where can members get support?

A liaison and advice service operates through Head Office in Brighton and locally through Area activities. These are implemented by the Area Committees funded in part by the main Association. The Areas run regular meetings and workshops.
What events can I attend as a member?

Members are kept up-to-date in advance in techniques, business methods, government regulations and so on, by means of an Annual Congress held in Southport plus a Seminar in London each year. In all cases, admission for members of the Association is part of the service provided and is free.
What guidance will I receive as a member?

A wide range of publications and guidance have been developed and produced by the Association covering all branches. The authors and Faculties producing the detailed techniques are leaders in the field. It is a matter of some pride that the technical works of Guy Howard (Ballroom) and Walter Laird (Latin) have been accepted by most other Associations.

Information and advice is supplied through our bi-monthly magazine, Dance International. The magazine includes operational matters for dance teachers as well as technical advice, syllabus matters and articles on Dance.
Do we need a CRB check?

Anyone working with children and vulnerable adults should apply for a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) / Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
IDTA members can apply for a CRB/DBS check via DDC Ltd (www.ddc.uk.net).
Further information is available in the Members Hub.
How many pupils can go in at any one time and timings of exams?

Details are printed in the appropriate syllabus.
If you are unsure then please contact the Examinations Department at IDTA Head Office via our Contact Form.
How many breaks should I allow for the examiner and for how long?

A guide for breaks would be 10 minutes for coffee, 30 minutes for lunch and 10 minutes for tea.
If you have questions about your examination timetable please contact IDTA Head Office or your appointed Examiner.
How long can an examination day be?

A normal working day is 8 hours excluding breaks.
If you have questions about your examination timetable please contact IDTA Head Office or your appointed Examiner.
Can my pupils take more than one Medal test on the same day?

Only Bronze and Silver Medal tests can be taken at same examination session.
How many candidates can I enter for Freestyle Medals?

Up to 8 candidates can go into the examination room for Freestyle Medal tests.
Is there a set IDTA uniform for exams?

No, candidates should wear appropriate clothing and shoes as detailed in the examination syllabus.
The dance school Principal may select the style and colour of class-wear and examination-wear for the pupils and students.
International Dance Supplies (IDS) offer a range of IDTA recommended examination-wear, but this is entirely optional. Find out more here.
How long should a team Medal test last?

All teams Medal tests should last 5 minutes.
Do candidates for the Classwork Assessment dance together or separately?

Classwork Assessment candidates dance together as if in a class situation, regardless of the Grade being taken.
Do Musical Theatre candidates dance together or separately?

Candidates for Musical Theatre Medals go into the examination room together, but dance individually.
How many pupils can go into the exam room for Grades?

If there are 5 pupils, split into 2 and 3. If there are 4 pupils, split into 2s.
How many pupils can go into the exam room for Medal tests?

Pupils for Medal tests should go into the exam room in 2s. If there are 3 pupils then an extra 5 minutes should be added to the timetable.
Can a teacher accompany their Stardance pupils into the exam room?

No, teachers cannot go into the examination room with pupils for the Stardance exams.
Can a teacher accompany their Rosette pupils into the exam room?

Yes, teachers can go in to assist with Rosette exams.
Can we use music with vocals for Tap exams?

No, music for Tap exams must not contain vocals.
Is there a maximum age limit?

No, there is no upper age-limit for Medals and Grades but there is a lower age-limit, please refer to the appropriate syllabus.
Do you have a fax number?

Yes, ## 44 (0)1273 674388
One of my pupils has taken a Grade exam, can they take a Medal test in the same genre?

Yes, pupils who take a Grade exams can take a Medal test in the same branch on the same day or at another examination session.
Can my pupils take Grades and Medal tests at the same examination session?

Yes, candidates taking Grades can take Medal tests at the same examination session.
Can a team have pupils of different ages in it?

Teams can be made up of mixed ages.
Can groups for Medal tests include male and female dancers?

Male dancers can dance with females in a group under the ‘Adult Medal test’ routine.
Do my pupils have to take Adult Medal tests?

No, pupils do not have to take Adult Medal tests.
Do my pupils need ribbons on their ballet shoes?

Ribbons on Ballet shoes are optional; they may use elastic.
Do I need a pianist for exams?

No, all set music is available on the offical IDTA CDs.