Diploma in Dance Education (DDE)
The teacher training course is suitable for students wanting to become professional, fully qualified teachers with the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing). We offer this course in Imperial Ballet, Modern Theatre and Tap Dance.
DDE is a Level 4 Diploma that has a QCF credit value of 92. The DDE is aimed at students who have gained knowledge of the fundamental principles of dance teaching through the DDI and who wish to become fully qualified and accredited ISTD dance teachers. Successful students are able to teach and enter students for all ISTD examinations except the teaching qualifications. The DDE has been accredited by Ofqual at Level 4 on the QCF, which is roughly equivalent to the level attained at first year degree level.
The Diploma provides practical and academic training to students relevant to the subject of study by providing the skills and knowledge needed to prepare them for future professional work in their chosen industry.
The course is validated by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), who are one of the world's leading dance teacher training and dance examination boards.
Students complete the units and exams when they are ready, depending on how much additional study is done outside of class. An approximate length of 2 years part time to complete the course. When enrolled on the course students must complete the each Diploma within 5 years to avoid having to potentially retake units.
Entrance to this course is through audition and interview with the Principal. As well as a good general standard of education, we are looking for a degree of potential that can be developed, as well as a real interest in and commitment to teacher training.
Students must be 18 years old in order to complete the DDE. There is no upper age limit and we welcome applications from mature students who have a suitable background as a professional performer or teacher and who need to update or complete their teaching qualifications without going back to full time college.
Previous experience in dance training is encouraged for this course. Students wishing to undertake the DDE qualification must complete their Intermediate level exam in the genre of study as part of their teacher training course and therefore we recommend students to be at Grade 6 or Intermediate standard in Classical Ballet, Tap and Modern. Although not a requirement of entry, the Intermediate qualification accounts for one unit of the DDE qualification and therefore students who have already completed this are likely to complete the course in a shorter amount of time. Students accepted onto the course who have not achieved their Intermediate level qualifications will be placed in the relevant Intermediate level classes in order to gain this qualification. For those who have completed their Intermediate exam with an alternative leading exam board (i.e, R.A.D), the qualification may be accepted by the ISTD also.
