Syllabus and Beyond Conference 2025

This year, for the first time, our annual online conference will cover both syllabus AND non-syllabus topics! We'll be discussing, quite literally, our syllabus and everything beyond!

Join us for a selection of 8 exciting CPD webinars. From answering your syllabus queries on the higher Tap grades with its very own syllabus creator, to discussing managing contracts and building up your dance business marketing tools, we're sure there will be something for everyone!

The conference will be worth 12 hours of CPD for both days, or 6 hours for one day. 

All talks will be recorded and sent to attendees after the event if they can’t watch live.

TIMETABLE:

Tuesday 27th May

10am – 11:15am: Higher Grades Tap with Debbie Clark

bbodance teacher and examiner, Debbie Clark, will take you through aspects of the Level 3 work, looking at developing a wide range of competencies such as motor control, self expression, stamina and confidence. Hear directly from the syllabus creator on selected exercises from Grades 6 and upwards. The webinar will cover:

• Syllabus questions chosen in advance to be answered by our experienced tutor

• Demonstrations of particular set exercises

• Time for discussion/questions

Please note that as this webinar is only 1hr15, we will be asking what you’d like to cover on a first come, first-served basis.

11:45am – 1:00pm: Grades 1 - 3 Ballet Refresh with Emily Law

bbodance teacher and examiner, Emily Law, will take you through the specification for the Grades 1 - 3 Classical Ballet syllabi, looking at developing a wide range of competencies such as motor control, self expression, stamina and confidence from this Level 1 work. The webinar will cover:

• Pre-selected syllabus questions to be answered by our experienced tutor

• Demonstrations of particular set exercises

• Time for discussion/questions

2:00pm – 3:15pm: Grades 6 & 7 Ballet Refresh with Emily Law

bbodance teacher and examiner, Emily Law, will take you through the specification for the Grades 6 & 7 Classical Ballet syllabi, looking at developing a wide range of competencies such as motor control, self expression, stamina and confidence from this Level 3 work. The webinar will cover:

• Pre-selected syllabus questions to be answered by our experienced tutor

• Demonstrations of particular set exercises

• Time for discussion/questions

3:45pm – 5:00pm: Beyond the Grade: The Impact of Assessment on the Dancing Body and Mind with Libby Costello

Dance exams are more than just assessments; they're vital milestones in a dancer's journey, providing structured progression and solidifying technical foundations. In this session, we'll explore why exams remain relevant in current dance training, highlighting the tangible benefits they offer: enhanced discipline, refined technique, and a powerful sense of accomplishment.

Beyond exams, we'll delve into the 'why and how' of assessment in dance practice, examining the dance teacher's crucial role in devising, implementing, and analysing effective assessment strategies. We'll navigate the complexities of judgment vs. measurement, accountability, transparency, and fairness, while critiquing diverse theoretical perspectives.

Specific areas of focus will include:

• Reasons for assessment and its direct relationship to dance training

• A comprehensive look at commonly used assessment tools within dance practice.

• The dance teacher's role in creating assessment practices that enhance learning, teaching, and student achievement.

• Analysing the impact of assessment on individuals within dance practice and evaluating its overall effectiveness.

  
  

Discover practical strategies to transform the exam process from a source of stress into an exciting, motivating challenge for your students. Learn how to foster a positive exam environment, build confidence, and celebrate individual achievements. We'll delve into effective communication techniques to clearly articulate the value of exams and holistic assessment to parents and guardians, emphasising how they contribute to their child's development and artistic growth. Join us to unlock the potential of dance exams and informed assessment practices to inspire your students to reach new heights!

Wednesday 28th May

10am – 11:15am: Managing Contracts (part 2 of 'Working Legally, Fairly & Successfully in Dance') with Fred Jerrome

Getting the best out of your dancers, freelancers and staff is at the heart of good management. Learn the essentials of law and good practice in this short session on managing people.

Delivered by the Independent Theatre Council, the session draws on ITC's experience handling performance concerns, grievances and disputes across the performing arts sector.

You'll cover good practice on dispute resolution, Equalities Law and getting the right policies and procedures to suit your organisation.

11:45am – 1:00pm: Exploring Safeguarding Best Practice for Adolescent Dancers with Vicky Race

Safeguarding concerns in adolescents can be overlooked or accidentally minimised when teachers believe young people to be independent and mature and more able to look after themselves than younger children.

In adolescents challenging or risk-taking behaviour can mask a need for support that can lead to the wishes and needs of young people being overlooked and where young people present with poor mental health this can often be considered the cause of that behaviour rather than a potential symptom of harm or abuse.

Safeguarding adolescents can feel challenging to professionals and therefor benefits from some additional exploration.  It comes with specific challenges and requires careful consideration. This course will focus on some of the central challenges to safeguarding adolescents both inside and out of their dance experiences including an exploration of dance specific issues such as:

• Preparation for professional training and healthy boundaries in the pre professional world. 

• Elite training: known risks and protective factors for those training at a higher level

• Contextual safeguarding at shows and competitions where older children may often experience more independence and therefore additional risks. 

2:00pm – 3:15pm: Video Content Confidence with Anne-Marie Martin

Social media is a great marketing tool but if you’re not seeing enough engagement or traction for your business are you using enough video content? Find out why and how to do it. 

Anne-Marie Martin is the founder and franchisor of Diddi Dance, funky preschool dance classes across the UK. After venturing onto TikTok in 2020 she has built a large following on the platform plus utilised the power of short form video content across reels and shorts to benefit her brand. She has been delivering talks across various networks and organisations for 3 years now. 

3:45pm – 5:00pm: Port de Bras and Performance with Joe Powell-Main

Join bbodance Patron, Joe Powell-Main, for this session focused on Ports de Bras and Performance. Having trained at White Lodge The Royal Ballet School, Joe learnt about the English style of Ballet developed by British choreographer Frederick Ashton and how his vision shaped the repertoire for the Royal Ballet Company and in turn, The Royal Ballet School. Joe has continued to place importance on what he learnt during training in his own practice.

In this session Joe will examine the importance of the connection between eyeline, épaulment and how intention can change the way a movement is interpreted to an audience. He will also unpick how this methodology has now informed how he choreographs, performs and teaches Ballet from an inclusive perspective. This session will combine discussion with practical exploration.