Dance Week: NATD Exam Success!

Monday 16^th and Tuesday 17^th June saw our talented dancers who have been preparing through our co-curricular programme for their National Association of Teachers in Dance (NATD) exams get the chance to strut their stuff!

Grade 5 and Grade 6 candidates were first up and for many of them it was a nerve-wracking experience being their first ever dance exam. Leighton Park’s NATD Dance teacher, Anja Nash, commented, “It is wonderful for them to now have this under their belts! The examiner has made some really wonderful comments regarding the students being very imaginative with their answers to questions on their solo pieces. They should be extremely proud of themselves, as we are!” Emma (Year 7) enthused, “I really enjoyed it and look forward to next year!”

On Tuesday it was the turn of our Intermediate, Advanced and Annual Performance Award NATD examination candidates. The Annual Performance Award gives the students a further opportunity to perform and create in other styles such as ballet, street, jazz, tap, musical theatre, lyrical and gymnastic dance, offering a freedom of choice that differs from the other grades.

Anja commented, “We are so proud of the dancers and those that dedicated their time to being in group pieces. The amount of hard work, rehearsal and teamwork has been a pleasure to watch. The examiner has got to see such a range of styles and pieces today, really demonstrating the amount of talent we have here at Leighton Park!

Dance Scholar, Jessy (Upper Sixth) remarked, “It was wonderful to be back dancing again as I took Grade 5 and Grade 6 and have come back for Intermediate this year”. Fellow Dance Scholar, Freya added, “I cannot believe the progression I have made from starting in Grade 5, to Grade 6 to taking my Intermediate exam today. From starting with no contemporary experience and now feeling confident in this style”.

The NATD exams form part of the 2025 Leighton Park Dance Week which includes the Manmade workshop with freelance dance artist, Will Hodson, our annual ‘Let’s Dance’ showcase and an aerial hoop workshop for our A Level dancers. You can see more pictures here.