What age is the Rambert Grades Entry Level Award for?

The Entry Level Award: Future Movers is designed for children aged 5–7 years old. It is an introductory qualification that does not require any previous dance experience. The syllabus is tailored to the developmental stage of young children, focusing on basic motor skills, creativity, and fun.

How long does it take to prepare for the exam?

Preparation time varies, but most students take around 6–12 months of weekly classes (e.g., 30–45 minutes per week) to feel ready. The syllabus is not overly demanding, and teachers will guide students through the required exercises and creative tasks. Regular practice at home, even for 5–10 minutes a day, can help build confidence.

What happens in the exam?

The exam lasts approximately 15–20 minutes and consists of three parts: a set technique exercise (e.g., a simple warm-up or travelling sequence), a creative task where the student responds to a stimulus (like a picture or piece of music) to create a short movement phrase, and a performance of a learned dance. The examiner observes and gives feedback, but the atmosphere is supportive and encouraging.

Do I need special shoes or clothing?

Students should wear comfortable clothing that allows free movement, such as a leotard and tights or a t-shirt and shorts. Bare feet are typically required for contemporary dance to feel the floor and improve balance. Some centres may allow soft ballet shoes, but check with your teacher. No special equipment is needed.

Is this qualification recognised by schools or for progression?

Yes, the Rambert Grades are regulated by Ofqual and are part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The Entry Level Award is a recognised qualification that can be included in school records or used as evidence of achievement in dance. It also provides a clear pathway to higher grades (1–8) and can lead to further study in performing arts.

What if my child is nervous about the exam?

It's normal to feel nervous! Teachers and examiners are trained to make the experience positive. The exam is designed to be low-pressure, and the examiner will guide the child through each part. Encourage your child to see it as a chance to show what they have learned. Practicing in front of family or friends can also help build confidence.

Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Future Movers - Core Content

RAMBERT CREATIVE CONTEMPORARY DANCE GRADES

vocational

This core content introduces the fundamental creative and technical skills required in contemporary dance at an entry level, focusing on developing young movers' confidence, expression, and physical awareness. Learners explore basic body actions, spatial pathways, and dynamics through guided improvisation and simple choreography, laying the groundwork for future graded examinations. Practical application emphasizes safe dance practice, personal creativity, and collaborative performance, enabling students to communicate ideas through movement.

Learning Outcomes

Assessment Guidance

Key Skills

Key Terms

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria

Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Future Movers

Topic Overview

The Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Future Movers is a foundational qualification designed for young dancers aged 5–7 who are beginning their journey in contemporary dance. This award introduces students to the core principles of the Rambert Grades syllabus, which is inspired by the renowned Rambert Dance Company's creative and technical approach. The qualification focuses on developing basic movement vocabulary, spatial awareness, and musicality through structured exercises and creative tasks. It is the first step in a graded pathway that builds towards more advanced contemporary dance techniques and performance skills.

This award matters because it establishes a strong foundation in contemporary dance, encouraging creativity, physical confidence, and an understanding of body alignment from an early age. Students explore fundamental actions such as travel, turn, jump, gesture, and stillness, while also learning to respond to different rhythms and dynamics. The syllabus is designed to be inclusive and engaging, fostering a love for dance and self-expression. As part of the wider Rambert Grades system, this entry level prepares students for the subsequent graded examinations (Grades 1–8) and eventually for vocational or higher education pathways in dance and performing arts.

In the context of the UK curriculum, this qualification aligns with the Department for Education's emphasis on physical education and the arts, supporting the development of key skills such as coordination, balance, and teamwork. It also introduces students to the discipline of examination preparation, including learning set phrases and improvisation tasks. By completing this award, students gain a recognised qualification that can be used as evidence of achievement in dance, whether for school reports, extracurricular records, or progression to higher levels.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Body Awareness and Alignment: Understanding how to stand, move, and hold the body correctly to prevent injury and improve efficiency. This includes learning about posture, core engagement, and the natural curves of the spine.
→Space and Pathways: Using the dance space effectively by exploring directions (forward, backward, sideways), levels (high, middle, low), and pathways (straight, curved, zigzag). Students learn to move safely and creatively within a given area.
→Rhythm and Musicality: Responding to different beats, tempos, and accents in music. This involves clapping, stepping, and moving in time, as well as recognising changes in dynamics (loud/soft, fast/slow).
→Basic Movement Vocabulary: Mastering fundamental actions such as walking, running, skipping, hopping, jumping, turning, and gesturing. These are combined into simple sequences and patterns.
→Creative Exploration and Improvisation: Using imagination to create movements inspired by stimuli like stories, pictures, or emotions. Students learn to make choices about how to move and express ideas through dance.

Learning Objectives

What you need to know and understand

Understand the key principles and practices
Apply knowledge in practical contexts
Demonstrate competency in core skills

Assessment Criteria

Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

Award credit for demonstrating clear understanding and application of safe dance principles, including appropriate warm-up and cool-down activities.
Award credit for showing consistent use of correct posture and alignment in basic travelling and stationary movements.
Award credit for effective use of contrasting dynamics (e.g., sharp and sustained, light and heavy) in response to simple stimuli.
Award credit for clear spatial awareness and ability to navigate shared space safely during group activities.

Assessment Guidance

Guidance for achieving higher grades

💡Always demonstrate a visible and appropriate physical warm-up at the start of your practical assessment to evidence safe practice.
💡Use simple, clear movement motifs and repeat them with small changes to show development, rather than trying to perform complex sequences.
💡Maintain eye contact and projection; even in entry-level work, a sense of performance engagement is rewarded.
💡Listen carefully to instructions and take your time to set up starting positions; calm preparation reflects confidence and control.
💡Tip 1: Emphasise quality of movement over complexity. Examiners look for clear, controlled actions with good use of space and dynamics. Even simple steps performed with intention and musicality score higher than rushed, messy sequences.
💡Tip 2: Practice the creative task by using different stimuli at home (e.g., a picture, a piece of music, a word). Encourage your child to make choices and remember their movements. The ability to improvise and recall a short phrase is key.
💡Tip 3: Focus on performance skills from the start. Smile, engage with the examiner (if appropriate), and show confidence. Even at entry level, demonstrating enjoyment and stage presence can boost marks.

Common Mistakes

Common errors to avoid in your coursework

Confusing dynamic qualities, such as performing a sharp action with unintended fluidity, leading to unclear movement intention.
Neglecting proper body alignment, particularly rolling inwards of the feet or sinking into the hips, which compromises safety and aesthetic quality.
Lacking spatial awareness during group tasks, resulting in collisions or clustering in one area of the studio.
Over-complicating improvisation by adding too many ideas, rather than developing a single clear movement idea with variation.
Misconception: Contemporary dance is just 'free movement' with no rules. Correction: While contemporary dance encourages creativity, it has a strong technical foundation. Students must learn correct alignment, control, and specific movement qualities (e.g., release, fall and recovery) even at entry level.
Misconception: You need to be very flexible or have a 'dancer's body' to succeed. Correction: The Entry Level Award is designed for all children regardless of body type or flexibility. The focus is on developing coordination, confidence, and enjoyment, not extreme flexibility or strength.
Misconception: The exam is just about performing a set dance. Correction: The exam includes three sections: a set technique exercise, a creative task (responding to a stimulus), and a short performance. Students must demonstrate understanding of the concepts, not just memorise steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•No formal prerequisites are required for the Entry Level Award. However, students benefit from having some experience in a movement-based activity such as creative movement classes, gymnastics, or early years dance. Basic listening skills and the ability to follow simple instructions are helpful.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Core knowledge
Practical application

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Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Future Movers - Core Content

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Topic Overview

Key Concepts

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Assessment Criteria

Assessment Guidance

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

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Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Primary - Core Content

Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Creative Movers - Core Content