Make Believe Academy classes run for 8 weeks and are designed to teach children to view taught content in their weekly singing, acting and drama classes through a new lens. They will develop skills and focus on extracts from termly content creating exam ready drama scenes, dance routines and songs. In addition to this, children will select an examination question appropriate to their grade, write their response in class and rehearse this to camera. As Musical Theatre examinations are group exams, children must work as a team to rehearse their introductions, performance, technical skills and reflection examination elements together.

Our awards offer vocational and technical qualifications covering Music, Performing Arts and Creative Digital Media. Awards offer performing arts examinations in musical theatre, street dance, jazz dance, acting, screen acting & public speaking.

Examinations are fully regulated by OfQual, Qualifications Wales & CCEA. Examinations are internationally recognised.

This is dependent on the examination being taken. All Musical Theatre examinations are group exams, with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 8 assessed candidates.

Each graded exam has a specific set of criteria that are assessed. Musical Theatre graded exams, for example, contain three core elements: Performance, Technical Skills, and Understanding & Reflection.

Graded examinations range from Premiere to Grade 8. Each step in the exam chain demonstrates learning, progression, and skills in incremental steps. There are minimum requirements for each grade band and so a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t possible! Every child who is entered into Make Believe Academy will have an individual discussion with their parent/guardian and local Principal to discuss individual goals, current strengths, areas for improvement, and how these align with graded examination entry.

Students are not required to take grades in succession and can even skip grades if deemed appropriate! For example, it may be more appropriate for a child in our Junior class to take Grade 3 as their first examination.

No – all examinations can be submitted via recorded video. This allows flexibility within examination groups which is paramount to building confidence in examination settings.

Upon enrolment, an enrolment entry fee is payable and membership fees will be added to your direct debit.

Enrolment Fees include exam entry which increase incrementally by grade and include:

• Exam entry
• Exam recording & uploading
• A physical Graded Examination certificate
• The creation of material for your child’s specific examination group

Make Believe Academy classes run for 8 weeks as a bolt-on to your child’s weekly singing, acting and dancing classes. Your membership fee is dependent on the syllabus your child is studying and will be added to two consecutive direct debits. Feel free to take a look at our membership page on our website to get a full listing of our pricing.

Enrolment can commence during our Spring & Autumn terms. Please note that it is not possible to join mid-way through a Make Believe Academy term.

Children will only be entered for examinations if their teacher and principal confirm they are ready for grading. If they are not yet ready or feel additional sessions are required, this will be communicated to you directly and your exam entry fee will carry over to the next term (subject to any exam board fee increases).

Yes. The award of a graded examination evidences commitment to learning and skill development. As Musical Theatre exams are taken in groups, all children are required to rehearse together. Illness cannot be avoided and missed content will be discussed on an individual basis, however, weeks should not be booked off during academy term time as this may result in your child being unprepared for examination grading.

This is likely to result in your child being unprepared for examination grading as they have missed 25% of taught content. At Make Believe Academy we want to set every child up for success, and we will only put children forward for their exam if their teacher and Principal agree they are ready for assessment. If you know in advance that your child will be unable to attend for two weeks please speak to your Principal – they will be able to provide personalised guidance.

Children will be grouped into grade specific classes. Grades 1-3, for example, can take their examination together and so would be grouped together within the academy.

Whilst this is unlikely, as children are only put forward for an exam when their teacher and principal agree they are prepared, there are steps you can take to appeal your child’s awarded grade. Your Principal will have a discussion with you should this ever arise and explain all the options to you.

In most cases, yes! There are, however, cases where your child may be required to attend more than one term of classes. For example, higher grade bandings require additional guided learning hours, solo exams may require one-to-one tuition over a longer period of time and children who are unable to attend all Make Believe Academy classes may not be ready for assessment. Your Principal will discuss this with you during your intro call before term commences. Enrolment Fees are valid until your child is put forward for assessment.

Yes. A Reasonable Adjustments form can be completed and sent to our examiner in advance of assessment. Medical evidence is required to support reasonable adjustments. Diagnostic confirmation on headed paper by medical practitioners, an Educational Psychologist or SEND qualified personnel is accepted. Special considerations can be applied for candidates who have a temporary disability, medical condition or learning needs or who are indisposed or are affected by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control at the time of the assessment.