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Performing Arts
Learn Street Dance
PAA Street Dance further continues our long-standing commitment to industry relevance and academic rigour. Designed by leading UK street dance practitioners, PAA Street Dance exams will equip your learners with an authentic experience that’s true to the historical style of Street Dance.
We’re excited to announce that from 1st September 2023 we have updated the syllabus to ensure it is even more accessible for candidates. These updates include revisions to the number of styles (from Grade 4), dance performance requirements, and further guidance on street dance styles that could be used within the performance (all grades). In addition we are providing a full grade-by-grade list of example music tracks that may be chosen by the examiner for the improvisation section of the exam (Grades 4-8). Please see the syllabus guides for more information.
Regulated by OfQual, Qualifications Wales & CCEA
We’re fully regulated by OfQual, Qualifications Wales & CCEA. Our Street Dance grades are internationally recognised.
Created by industry specialists
PAA Street Dance has been created by specialists in Popping, Locking, House and Breaking.
Performance focused
Students can develop as soloists or company dancers.
UCAS points
UCAS points are available at grades 6, 7 and 8, supporting students progression onto University, or for a career in the performing arts industry.
Be truly creative
PAA Street Dance Technical Skills can be free choice giving you creative control in your exam.
No membership fees
PAA Street Dance does not include any membership fees and free supporting materials are provided to help guide, inspire and motivate your students.
The Exam
PAA Grade Exams has been specifically designed to give teachers the creative freedom to build a bespoke curriculum around their own teaching styles and existing programme. PAA Grade Exams has been specifically designed to give teachers the creative freedom to build a bespoke curriculum around their own teaching styles and existing programme.
PAA candidates are assessed in the two core areas of Street Dance:
Technical Skills
Candidates will prepare a series of technical exercises that display a range of skills within the genre. Exercises encourage the development of a strong dance technique, whilst embedding performance skills ensuring the development of equipped dancers
The Performance
The Performance is the final element to the examination and can include any style or variation of Street Dance. Teachers have creative control over the content of the group performance creating a truly unique and tailored experience for students
How It Works
01
Download the syllabus for free
Download the PAA Street Dance syllabus for free to see how you can incorporate these qualifications into your teaching offering.
02
Take Advantage of Innovative Resources
PAA offers a range of resources to help you teach the syllabus. With suggested repertoire and supporting audio, PAA gives you the tools to start teaching today.
03
Book An Exam Day
Once your students are prepped and ready, book an exam day where our PAA examiners will assess your upcoming show or performance. PAA qualifications are the ideal way for students to be awarded for their hard work.
Performance
The Performance consists of a group dance routine which can include any style or variation of street dance. Teachers have creative control over the concept, content and choreography
of the group performance but must adhere to the minimum and maximum durations specified per grade (including the music track/s selected).
Teachers can refer to the Technical Moves listed at each grade for guidance regarding the level of difficulty expected for the Performance choreography at each grade.
A maximum of six candidates can be assessed at any one time. If there are more than six, the examiner will split candidates into two groups. Examiners may ask candidates to repeat sections of the performance if clarification is needed.
The school’s uniform is sufficient, however, costumes and props are permitted.
An audience is permitted.
Teachers and candidates are encouraged to closely consider the Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria for the specific qualification level they are entering.
Guide to choosing music for the performance
The selection of music is the teacher’s choice and should allow the candidates the best opportunity to respond to phrasing, dynamics and atmosphere. The style and the mood of the music should allow for as much expression as possible, creating a performance that fulfils requirements for technique, musicality and communication.
Technical Skills
Candidates will dance a selection of technical moves provided by RSL that are designed to be achievable during a class warm up or technical workshop over a number of weeks.
The technical moves and combination are demonstrated as a group but each candidate must be visible to the examiner at all times.
A maximum of eight candidates can be assessed at any one time. Candidates may be arranged into even smaller groups where necessary, e.g. where there are different chosen styles within the same exam group.
Candidates will demonstrate each technical move:
- one move at a time (candidates will be required to repeat the move requested by the examiner until the music track is stopped)
- as a combination
Candidates may perform the technical moves in the same combination but this is not a requirement.
The teacher should select a music track/s appropriate to the chosen style.
A video demonstrating all the technical moves can be found in the supporting videos section of this page.
As candidates progress through the grades, the range of styles, complexity and technical demand required for this element of the examination is increased. More details about the Technical Skills demonstration can be found in the content description for each grade.
Props and costumes are not permitted. An audience is not permitted.
- Level 1 (Grade 1,2 and 3)
The teacher/candidate must choose one style of Street Dance (Locking, House or Breaking) and candidates must demonstrate all the technical moves from the chosen style
to the examiner. - Level 2 & 3 (Grade 4 to 8)
The teacher/candidate must choose one style of Street Dance (Locking, House, Breaking or Popping) and candidates must demonstrate all the technical moves from the chosen styles to the examiner.
Please note: Candidates in the same examination group may demonstrate different styles of Street Dance to the examiner.
Technical Skills – Freestyle (Level 2&3 only)
The Freestyle section of the examination gives candidates from Grades 4–8 only the opportunity to demonstrate their technical ability, musicality, creativity and individual style without restrictions.
Candidates will be required to interpret the given music through any Street Dance style and moves of the candidate’s choice for the duration specified per grade.
Candidates may include the technical moves provided for the Technical Skills Demonstration in their freestyle if they wish but this is not a requirement. However, the freestyle must not wholly consist of technical steps that have been provided by RSL.
At Grade 4 and 5 Candidates will:
- stand in a semicircle
- enter the dance space in pairs
- dance at the same time, facing the examiner
At Grade 6, 7 and 8 Candidates will:
- stand in two crews facing each other
- enter the dance space in pairs (one candidate from each crew)
- dance one at a time, facing each other
The music will be provided by the examiner. To view the list of example music tracks that may be chosen by the examiner, please download the “Music for Freestyle” guidance below.
As candidates progress through the grades, this becomes a Freestyle battle in which candidates will be expected to engage and respond to another dancer in an opposing crew of dancers.
Props and costumes are not permitted.
An audience is not permitted.
Supporting Video
The Street Dance video guides will take you through the complete syllabus from Grade 1 to Grade 8 and provide in-depth guidance and examples of every element of the exam. Use the video content alongside the Street Dance syllabus guide.
Assessment Summary
| Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Form of Assessment | All assessments are carried out by external examiners. Candidates are required to carry out a combination of practical tasks underpinning the technical and performance assessment. |
| Unit Format | Unit specifications contain the Title, Unit Code, Credit Level, Credit Value, Learning Outcomes, Assessment Criteria, Grade Descriptor, and types of evidence required for the unit. |
| Bands of Attainment | There are four bands of attainment (Distinction, Merit, Pass and Unclassified) for the qualification as a whole. |
| Quality Assurance | Quality Assurance ensures that all assessments are carried out to the same standard by objective sampling and re-assessment of candidates’ work. A team of external examiners is appointed, trained and standardised by RSL. |
Assessment Methodology
The graded examinations in Street Dance are assessed through two components:
Grades 1–3
- Technical Skills – 60 marks
- Performance – 40 marks
Grades 4–8
- Technical Skills (including Freestyle) – 60 marks (30+30)
- Performance – 40 marks
Expectations of Knowledge, Skills and Understanding
The graded examination system is one based on the principle of ‘progressive mastery’; each step in the exam chain demonstrates learning, progression and skills in incremental steps.
Successful learning is characterised by a mastery of the fundamental skills demanded in each grade.
Learners will be able to complete a set of practical tasks and be tested on their underpinning knowledge (the complexity and variety of tasks are determined by which qualification is being attempted), which allow them to demonstrate Street Dance knowledge, skills and understanding relevant to the grade. These technical skills set a firm platform for further technical and creative development by the learner.
Resources
Download the syllabus and relevant documentation to support your teaching with PAA Street Dance for free!
Street Dance – Syllabus
pdf
3.1 MB
PAA Street Dance Syllabus SQA Accredited (Scotland only)
Street Dance – Suggested Scheme of work
pdf
410.3 KB
Street Dance Grades 4 to 8 Freestyle Music
pdf
172.7 KB
Street Dance – Suggested Audio
pdf
244.6 KB
PAA Recorded Digital Exam Guide (UPDATE Sept. 2024)
pdf
762.8 KB
Street Dance – Recorded Digital Exams Example Script
pdf
223.4 KB
Jazz and Street Dance – Live Streamed Digital Exam Guide
pdf
205.7 KB
Street Dance Fees
Please see the information below for all Street Dance fees
| Grade | Recorded Digital | Live Stream | Face-to-Face |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premiere | £24 | £25 | £26 |
| Debut | £26 | £27 | £29 |
| Grade 1 | £32 | £33 | £34 |
| Grade 2 | £36 | £38 | £40 |
| Grade 3 | £40 | £42 | £44 |
| Grade 4 | £44 | £46 | £49 |
| Grade 5 | £53 | £56 | £58 |
| Grade 6 | £61 | £64 | £67 |
| Grade 7 | £69 | £72 | £76 |
| Grade 8 | £76 | £80 | £83 |
Please see “other fees” below relating to UK PAA Graded Exams.
Late Entry, Date Changes & Deferrals
| Service | Applicable When... | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Date Change | Changing exam date/time after appointment slip has been issued | £30 |
| Deferral | Deferring exam to future exam period | £30 |
Please see the UK Graded Exams Date Change & Deferral policy for circumstances where the fee can be waived.
Enquiries about Results / Appeals
| Service | Fee | Cap for Multiple Candidates | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remark | 50% of Exam Fee | £100 | If marks change by more than +/-5 or there is a change of assessment band |
| First Level Appeal | 60% of Exam Fee | £150 | If enquiry is upheld |
| Second Level Appeal | 75% of Exam Fee | £200 | If enquiry if upheld |
Replacement Certificate
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Replacement Certificate | £15 |
Key dates
PAA examinations are open all year round and can be scheduled to fit with your existing programme.
Need more information?
Please visit our PAA FAQ page to find some useful information to help you get started.
Book your PAA exam!
PAA examinations are open all year round and can be scheduled to fit with your existing programme.
