Exams

ISTD Dance Examinations:

‘The examination structure of the ISTD is designed to cater equally for those who wish to progress to making dance their profession, either as a performer or dance teacher and for those pursuing dance purely as a leisure activity.
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) is one of the world’s leading dance examination boards. From Ballet to Ballroom, they have 12 dance faculties covering Theatre, Dancesport and Social Dance.
Since 1904 they have provided training for dance teachers and examiners, enabling teachers to enter their students for examinations, develop new techniques and spread the joy of dance.

(Source ISTD)

Acrobatic Arts Examinations: 

‘The Acrobatic Arts examination process is designed to motivate dancers. Having defined and achievable goals is a proven way to motivate dancers to excel. Dancers work through twelve exam levels, each designed to create a well-balanced acrobat, including elements of flexibility, strength, balance, limbering and tumbling. ‘

Examiners evaluate dancers against a set universal standard, allowing dancers and teachers to see where the dancer stands globally.

(Source Acrobatic Arts)

LCME Musical Theatre Examinations: 

‘The London College of Music Examinations syllabus is designed to prepare students for the graded examinations in Musical Theatre awarded by the University of West London Qualifications.
It provides a structured approach that enables students to progressively master the understanding, knowledge and skills necessary for effective communication and performance; fosters learning through vocal and dramatic performance techniques; and encourages a love of the literary and musical aspects of the genre. Examinations are conducted by trained external examiners and are held at approved centres in the UK and overseas.’
(Source LCM)

At Louise Benson School of Dance our pupils have the opportunity to take examinations once they can display the correct discipline and ability required for the level. Examinations are not compulsory but they are beneficial, gradually building strength, ability and confidence.

As a guide, it takes approximately 18 months to 2 years (in higher grades) to move from one level to the next. Attendance must be consistent when preparing for an exam, pupils will be offered extra classes in the weeks leading up to their exams to help them to achieve their full potential.

Pupils are assessed externally by visiting examiners or online. They receive a report and successful candidates are awarded a certificate and progress to the next grade.

Our teachers regularly attend training courses to update on new syllabi and exam requirements.

We are aware that for various reasons some pupils are unable to take examinations and these pupils are moved up to the next grade when appropriate.

2024

September 2024 - Acrobatic Arts Level 5
Cici Highly Commended
September 2024 - Acrobatic Arts Level 4
LIa Highly CommendedBronte Isabella CommendedCara Highly Commended
September 2024 - Acrobatic Arts Level 3 Bronze Pin
Olivia EstelleEliza WAyla
September 2024 - Acrobatic Arts Level 3
Seren ExcellentCharlotte Highly CommendedAnnabel Highly CommendedChloe CommendedAmber ExcellentGeorgia Highly CommendedHolly Commended
September 2024 - Acrobatic Arts Level 2
Elizabeth ExcellentHolly Highly CommendedAva Highly Commended
September 2024 - Acrobatic Arts Level 1
Amelia ExcellentDarcy Distinction Elodie DistinctionEloise ExcellentLina DistinctionMillie DistinctionPenelope ExcellentPhoebe ExcellentVeronika ExcellentPippa ExcellentJulieta Distinction
September 2024 - Acrobatic Arts Primary
Vicky ExcellentElsie ExcellentAda DistinctionGabby Distinction
July 2024 - Primary Ballet Class Exam
Darcy DistinctionSaoirse MeritLola MeritEloise MeritPenelope MeritJulieta MeritAnastasia MeritElodie Distinction
July 2024 - Level 1 Ballet
Emily MeritElizabeth MeritChloe MeritGrace Merit
July 2024 - Level 2 Ballet
Jazmine MeritEstelle MeritEvelyn MeritCara DistinctionSeren DistinctionAmber Merit
July 2024 - Level 3 Ballet
Sabrina MeritEliza A MeritMelisa MeritEleni MeritEliza W MeritBronte MeritIsaac MeritOlivia MeritAyla MeritGeorgia MeritLia Distinction
July 2024 - Grade 4 Ballet
Sezan MeritLucy Merit
July 2024 - Grade 5 Ballet
Lottie Merit
July 2024 - Grade 1 Tap
Emily MeritAmber DistinctionChloe DistinctionElizabeth DistinctionGrace Merit

2023

December 2023 - Grade 5 Tap
Jessie MeritElla DistinctionBella MeritEvie May DistinctionKitty DistinctionLottie Distinction
December 2023 - Primary Tap
Ralf DistinctionJulieta Distinction Penelope DistinctionSaoirse MeritElodie MeritAnastasia MeritRose DistinctionLola Distinction Eloise MeritBella Merit
December 2023 - Modern Grade 5
Lottie DistinctionKitty Distinction Evie May DistinctionAnna Distinction
December 2023 - Modern Grade 4
Sezan DistinctionOrla MeritIsla MeritPippa MeritFreya Merit
December 2023 - Modern Grade 3
Estelle Merit Olivia DistinctionLucy MeritCici Merit Lia MeritEliza Merit
December 2023 - Modern Grade 2
Elizabeth Merit
September 2023 - Acrobatic Arts Level 4
Isla DistinctionOrla Excellent
September 2023 - Acrobatic Arts Level 3
Ayla CommendedEliza W ExcellentEstelle Highly CommendedCara ExcellentOlivia Highly CommendedSofia Highly CommendedPippa Highly CommendedSabrina CommendedLia Excellent
September 2023 - Acrobatic Arts Level 2
Isabelle ExcellentCharlotte Highly CommendedAnnabel ExcellentChloe Highly CommendedHolly Highly CommendedGeorgia ExcellentAmber Highly CommendedSeren Distinction
September 2023 - Acrobatic Arts - Primary
Darcy DistinctionEloise DistinctionElodie DistinctionMillie DistinctionPenelope DistinctionPhoebe DistinctionGeorgia DistinctionNia Distinction
September 2023 - Acrobatic Arts - Level 1
Holly L Excellent
March 2023 - Primary Tap
Valentina DistinctionMillie MeritKitty DistinctionRuby MeritLara Merit
March 2023 - Grade 1 Tap
Evelyn MeritIsabelle Merit Amber Merit Jazmine Merit Estelle Merit Cara MeritSeren Distinction
March 2023 - Grade 2 Tap
Ava MeritLia MeritCici MeritSabrina MeritSofia MeritOlivia MeritAyla MeritGeorgia PassRomilly MeritBronte Isabella DistinctionEliza MeritIsaac Merit
March 2023 - Grade 3 Tap
Abigail MeritEleni MeritMelisa Merit

2022

December 2022 - Standard 1 Ballet
Amelia DistinctionCara DistinctionAmber DistinctionSeren DistinctionJazmine DistinctionIsabelle MeritEstelle Merit
December 2022 - Primary Ballet
Gracie DistinctionKitty DistinctionHolly MeritAudrey MeritRuby Merit Valentina Merit
December 2022 - Standard 2 Ballet
Sabrina DistinctionLia DistinctionBronte Isabella DistinctionEliza DistinctionGeorgia MeritOlivia MeritAyla DistinctionAva Merit
December 2022 - Grade 3 Ballet
Lucy MeritSezan Distinction
July 2022 - Primary Tap
Audrey DistinctionHolly DistinctionGracie Distinction
July 2022 - Tap Grade 3
Lucy DistinctionSezan DistinctionBetsy Distinction
July 2022 - Tap Grade 4
Lottie DistinctionLily MeritChloe MeritNiamh MeritEvie May DistinctionBella Merit
July 2022 - Modern Grade 2
Cici DistinctionEstelle MeritLia DistinctionOlivia Distinction

2020

March 2020 - Primary Modern
Victoria Meta MeritEmily Woolterton Merit
March 2020 - Primary Tap
Cici Nedelea DistinctionOlivia Koo Lap Hing DistinctionBronte Isabella Pendleton DistinctionEliza Winstone DistinctionGeorgia Crew DistinctionLia Ferrari Murray DistinctionAyla Vohra Distinction
March 2020 - Tap Grade 1
Mellisa Coulloupas Merit
March 2020 - Modern Grade 1
Cici Nedelea DistinctionLia Ferrari Murray DistinctionEmily Twining DistinctionOlivia Koo Lap Hing DistinctionEstelle Blackburn Merit

2019

August 2019 - ISTD Imperial Ballet Primary Class Examination
Sofia Slider DistinctionSabrina Sharp DistinctionEliza Winstone Distinction Lia Ferrari Murray DistinctionBronte Isabella Pendleton DistinctionCici Nedelea Distinction
August 2019 - ISTD Imperial Ballet Grade 1
Sezan Ali DistinctionLucy Whelan Merit
August 2019 - ISTD Imperial Ballet Grade 2
Isabelle Brewer MeritElla Whelan Merit
August 2019 - ISTD Imperial Ballet Grade 3
Isabel Donnelly MeritShannon Oakley MeritTamzin Yusef MeritLottie Howells MeritAmelia Phillips Merit
July 2019 - LCM Musical Theatre Examination Grade 2
Kate Gauntlett Distinction
July 2019 - LCM Musical Theatre Examination Grade 1
Eva Connolly DistinctionBetsy Ellis DistinctionOlivia Brown Distinction
July 2019 - LCM Musical Theatre Singing Examination Step 1
Lucy Coleman MeritEliza Winstone Merit
March 2019 - Primary Tap
Sabrina Sharp Distinction Sofia Slider MeritAva Falero DistinctionAyla Ozkan Merit
March 2019 - Primary Modern
Emily Twining MeritOlivia Koo Lap Hing MeritEvie Nelson Merit
March 2019 - Tap Grade 1
Sezan Ali DistinctionSophia Falero DistinctionBetsy Ellis DistinctionFreya McCandless DistinctionRuby Barrow MeritMillie Palmer MeritEva Connolly Merit Lucy Whelan MeritFrancesca McClean Merit
March 2019 - Modern Grade 2
Isla Wilton MeritHolly Dixon MeritOrla O'Dyer MeritSophie Woolterton MeritSezan Ali DistinctionOlivia Woolterton MeritChloe Shield Merit
March 2019 - Tap Grade 2
Niamh Cleary MeritElla Whelan MeritIsabella Brewer MeritLily Lavagna MeritEvie May Pocock MeritKitty Ellis DistinctionOlivia Mark MeritLottie Howells DistinctionGrace Grinham Pass
March 2019 - Modern Grade 3
Niamh Cleary MeritEvie May Pocock MeritKitty Ellis MeritTamzin Yusef MeritEmma Wilson MeritOlivia Mark MeritLottie Howells MeritGrace Grinham Merit
March 2019 - Grade 3 Tap
Amelia Phillips DistinctionEmilia Beveridge MeritCaya Goberhand Pass
March 2019 - Modern Grade 4
Isabel Donnelly MeritEmilia Beveridge MeritLayla Edwards MeritEsha Karunaratne Merit
March 2019 - Grade 4 Tap
Layla Edwards DistinctionKate Gauntlett Merit

2018

November 2018 - Standard 4 Class Exam
Layla Edwards Merit
November 2018 - Standard 3 Class Exam
Amelia Phillips DistinctionShannon Oakley Distinction
November 2018 - Standard 2 Class Exam
Bella Brewer MeritOlivia Mark MeritElla Whelan Merit
November 2018 - Standard 1 Class Exam
Eva Connolly DistinctionLucy Whelan DistinctionMillie Palmer DistinctionSezan Ali DistinctionHoney Baldock MeritMelisa Coulloupas Merit

2017

July 2017 - Grade 3 Ballet
Layla Edwards MeritIsabella Hunnisett MeritAmy Gregory Merit
July 2017 - Grade 2 Ballet
Amelia Philips DistinctionLily Boorer DistinctionIsabel Donnelly DistinctionShannon Oakley DistinctionTasha Angelina Blankson Distinction
July 2017 - Grade 1 Ballet Exam
Lottie Howells DistinctionKitty Jolanda Ellis DistinctionLily Mae Lavagna DistinctionIsabella Brewer MeritOlivia Mark DistinctionElla Whelan Merit
July 2017 - Primary Ballet Exam
Chloe Shield MeritLucy Whelan DistinctionSophia Rose Falero DistinctionRuby Barrow Distinction
July 2017 - Pre-Primary Ballet Class Exam
Betsy Ellis MeritIsabel Read MeritMillie Palmer DistinctionImelda Beanj MeritHoney Baldock Merit
July 2017 - LCM Musical Theatre Singing Examinations Step 1
Betsy Ellis Distinction
July 2017 - LCM Musical Theatre Singing Examinations Grade 1
Grace Grinham DistinctionKitty Ellis DistinctionEmma Wilson Pass
March 2017 - Grade 3 Modern
Kate Gauntlett MeritEmilia Beveridge DistinctionIsabella Hunnisett DistinctionEsha Karunaratne MeritIsabel Donnelly DistinctionLayla Edwards DistinctionAmy Gregory Distinction
March 2017 - Grade 2 Modern
Olivia Mark DistinctionKitty Ellis DistinctionGrace Grinham MeritLottie Howells DistinctionScarlett Benbow DistinctionNiamh Cleary Merit
March 2017 - Grade 1 Modern
Bella Perdoni DistinctionSezan Ali DistinctionHolly Dixon Merit
March 2017 - Grade 3 Tap
Kate Gauntlett DistinctionAmy Gregory MeritLayla Edwards DistinctionInes Plomion Distinction
March 2017 - Grade 2 Tap
Isabel Donnelly DistinctionEmilia Beveridge DistinctionShannon Oakley DistinctionTasha Blankson DistinctionAmelia Philips DistinctionLily Boorer Distinction
March 2017 - Grade 1 Tap
Lottie Howells DistinctionCharlotte Cook DistinctionIsabella Brewer MeritLily Lavagna DistinctionNiamh Cleary MeritOlivia Mark DistinctionElla Whelan MeritGrace Grinham DistinctionKitty Ellis Merit
March 2017 - Primary Tap Class Exam
Bella Perdoni DistinctionSezan Ali DistinctionLucy Whelan DistinctionEva Connolly DistinctionChloe Shield DistinctionSophia Falero DistinctionRuby Barrow DistinctionFrancesca Mclean Distinction
March 2017 - Pre-Primary Tap Class Exam
Millie Palmer DistinctionBetsy Ellis DistinctionHoney Baldock DistinctionIsabel Read Distinction

2016

July 2016 - Standard 3 Ballet Class Exam
Amy Gregory DistinctionIsabella Hunnisett MeritLayla Edwards DistinctionKate Gauntlett Merit
July 2016 - Standard 2 Ballet Class Exam
Lily Boorer DistinctionAmelia Philips MeritShannon Oakley DistinctionTasha Blankson DistinctionRhianna Cork Merit
July 2016 - Standard 1 Ballet Class Exam
Lottie Howells DistinctionCharlotte Cook MeritOlivia Mark DistinctionAmelia Barrow MeritLily Lavagna DistinctionIsabella Brewer MeritNiamh Cleary Merit
July 2016 - Primary Ballet Class Exam
Bella Perdoni DistinctionSezan Ali DistinctionFrancesca Mclean DistinctionEva Connolly MeritVeronica Canevaro MeritHolly Dixon MeritRuby Barrow DistinctionChloe Shield MeritLyla Bristow Merit

2015

July 2015 - Grade 2 Modern
Kate Gauntlett DistinctionAmy Gregory DistinctionIsabella Hunnisett DistinctionIsabel Donnelly DistinctionIness Plomion DistinctionEmilia Beveridge Distinction
July 2015 - Grade 1 Modern
Kitty Ellis Distinction
July 2015 - Primary Modern Class Exam
Bella Perdoni DistinctionTallulah Castanha DistinctionSophia Theodokis Distinction
July 2015 - Grade 2 Tap
Kate Gauntlett DistinctionAmy Gregory Distinction
July 2015 - Grade 1 Tap
Amelia Philips DistinctionLily Boorer DistinctionConnie Wakeford DistinctionLark Macpherson DistinctionTasha Blankson DistinctionShannon Oakley DistinctionOlivia Tarrent DistinctionIsabel Donnnolly DistinctionRhianna Cork Distinction
July 2015 - Primary Tap Class Exam
Niamh Cleary DistinctionIsabella Brewer DistinctionLily Lavagna DistinctionKitty Ellis DistinctionLottie Howells DistinctionCharlotte Cook DistinctionAmelia Barrow DistinctionOlivia Mark Distinction
July 2015 - Pre-Primary Tap Class Exam
Eva Connolly DistinctionSezan Ali DistinctionBella Perdoni DistinctionHolly Dixon DistinctionLucy Whelan DistinctionTeela Wall DistinctionSophia Falero Distinction
March 2015 - Standard 2 Ballet Class Exam
Kate Gauntlett MeritAmy Gregory MeritIsabella Hunnisett Distinction
March 2015 - Standard 1 Ballet Class Exam
Amelia Philips DistinctionLily Boorer MeritConnie Wakeford MeritLark Macpherson MeritTasha Blankson MeritShannon Oakley DistinctionOlivia Tarrent MeritIsabel Donnnolly DistinctionRhianna Cork Merit
March 2015 - Primary Ballet Class Exam
Niamh Cleary MeritIsabella Brewer DistinctionKitty Ellis MeritLottie Howells MeritCharlotte Cook MeritAmelia Barrow MeritScarlet Hopper MeritLily Lavagna Distinction
March 2015 - Pre-Primary Ballet Class Exam
Eva Connolly MeritSezan Ali DistinctionBella Perdoni DistinctionHolly Dixon DistinctionLucy Whelan MeritTeela Wall Distinction