NPA Dance update: changes to approval for new centres
New centres planning to deliver NPA Dance courses at SCQF levels 4 and 5 now need to apply for approval from SQA as we’ve removed auto-approval from these qualifications. Please check if you have approval before delivering these qualifications.
If you’re unsure if your centre is approved to deliver these qualifications, please speak to your Regional Manager. We will work with each centre to identify what support they need to deliver the qualifications.
Centres that are already delivering these qualifications
If your centre is already delivering these qualifications or delivering the mandatory units Dance: Choreography H2W5 10 or Dance: Choreography FH5T 11 as part of another award (such as Creative Industries at SCQF levels 5 and 6), you’ll receive an assessment strategy declaration form from our approvals team (asv@sqa.org.uk).
Please complete and return this form indicating that your centre meets the requirements for assessors and internal verifiers. You’ll find the updated requirements for assessors and internal verifiers in section 7 of the group award specifications. We’ve also provided more information below.
When to apply for approval
You need to apply for approval before delivering the qualification for the first time, or before resuming delivery of the qualification after a break. You must consider if your centre has the resources available to do this.
Why we’re making this change
We’re making this change due to a significant increase in centres delivering these qualifications, and an increased demand for additional support from SQA to help teachers and lecturers develop their knowledge of the subject.
Requirements for assessors and internal verifiers
We’ve added the following requirements for assessors and internal verifiers to section 7 ‘General information for centres’ in the group award specifications.
- Preferably, those involved in assessing the NPA Dance at SCQF level 4 or 5 will have a degree in Dance.
- Assessors and Internal Verifiers must meet the requirements of the Assessment Strategy.
- Dance assessors and internal verifiers must have completed at least two years' successful study of dance to a minimum of Higher National Diploma (HND) level (SCQF level 8) or have extensive knowledge in dance, which can be supported by vocational and teaching qualifications through accredited dance awarding bodies, with a minimum value of 40 SCQF credit points at level 7 and 40 SCQF points at level 8. It’s vital that any vocational qualifications or awards achieved are appropriate for course assessment and internal verification for the group award.
The updated group award specifications are available from the NPA Dance SCQF level 4 web page and the NPA Dance SCQF level 5 web page.