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FAQ
What types of LAMDA examinations are there?
Introductory Stage 1-3 are three basic examinations exploring poetry and conversation skills designed to introduce the exams structure. These are often offered to Age 5-8.
After your child has taken their introductory exams they will then naturally begin with Entry in a chosen discipline. Please see our section on LAMDA to explore what disciplines are offered. These are often offered to Age 8+.
Performance
LAMDA’s performance examinations use drama to develop self-confidence, physical presence and a strong speaking voice.
Communication
LAMDA’s communication examinations provide the opportunity to develop a clear speaking voice, positive body language and self-confidence by exploring different uses of spoken English.
LAMDA’s Shakespeare examinations provide the opportunity to develop an understanding and appreciation of characterisation and use of language by exploring Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets.
Apart from the benefits that are in parallel with the performance exams these give the student the opportunity to create their own versions of some of literatures most fascinating characters and perform some of the most famous lines ever written. It also allows the student to delve deeper into Shakespeare’s language and performance style which is an integral part of our cultural world history and heritage.
Solo
An individual exam whereby the student prepares their exam content by themselves with their teacher. They will be in the exam room by themselves and receive an individual mark and feedback.
Duologue
A pair exam whereby the two students prepare the exam content together with their teacher. They will be in the exam room together but will still receive an individual mark and feedback. It is possible for each duo pairing tor receive very different marks.
Combinations
(Our favourite type of Acting exam – the best of both worlds! Only offered for Grades 1-5) A pair and solo exam whereby the two students will prepare one exam piece together and another exam piece by themselves with their teacher. They will be in the exam room together and perform their solo exam pieces in front of each other. They will still receive an individual mark and feedback. It is possible for each combination pairing tor receive very different marks.
Group
A group exam from 3 up to 10 students whereby the group of students prepare their exam content together with their teacher. They will be in the exam room together and receive a group mark and feedback, no individual marks or feedback is given or can be obtained. A true team examination!
We always suggest asking your child which they think they would prefer when presented with a choice in a group lesson, after all they are the ones who need to be fully committed to the content and work. For private students, often there is the opportunity to take two examinations in one year and we suggest a good balance of one communication exam and one performance exam.
This is dependent on each child’s ability. LAMDA used to stipulate recommended learning ages which we still use as a guide and from experience have served our students well:
- Introductory stage 1-3 exams (Minimum age 5)
- Entry Level (Minimum age 7)
- Level One (Minimum age 8)
- Level Two (Minimum age 11 but only if have taken previous grades or has relevant experience)
- Level Three (Minimum age 12 but only if have taken previous grades or has relevant experience)
If your child hasn’t taken any LAMDA grades previously but has relevant experience in their chosen discipline(s) your child will be expertly assessed and placed.
Lessons
As with any exam you only get out what you put in. Akin to music grades the level of commitment is high if you are wanting to obtain the higher marks. Out of class commitment to learning and rehearsing is key in order to make progress. No student can pass with only attending lessons.
All lessons cover what is needed in order to prepare the students to pass their examinations with distinction. Please read through the LAMDA syllabus found on the LAMDA website to best understand the type of lesson content. Please refer to our ‘Education Structure’ for the specifics of what your child should be attaining in lessons. We do not schedule time in lessons for word learning or writing all devised scripts or speeches, time for this is set as homework.
We do not schedule time in lessons for word learning/familiarisation or researching/writing all devised scripts or speeches, time for this is set as homework each week and is expected to be completed by the set deadlines in order for progress to be achieved. Please refer to the timetable below for homework lengths according to grade. We advise that your child does not do all the allocated homework time at once, especially for line learning – it is best to line learn a little each day just like you would practice a musical instrument. The below times are the suggested minimum:
- Introductory Stage 1-3: 20mins
- Entry Level 30mins
- Level One 45mins
- Level Two 60mins
- Level Three 90mins
If in doubt of what your set homework is either email your teacher or learn your lines and rehearse.
If you would like to know more than your child is offering to tell you about their lessons and progress, please contact their teacher directly through email. Please note that you may not get a response straight away, but we do aim to respond within a reasonable amount of time. Please also feel rest assured that if your child is struggling in class or is falling behind on their work their class teacher will not hesitate to contact you with regards to their progress.
- Heightened interest due to greater interaction.
- Increased levels of confidence due to constantly performing in front of others including the opportunity to perform in a LAMDA showcase for invited family after each exam.
- Peer learning helps to bring in an extra level and style of learning to the rehearsal room.
- Motivational learning as students have a tendency to compete and this can be healthy, as long as there is positivity and a spirit of cooperation along with constructive and helpful feedback in a safe and friendly environment.
- Social competency greatens due to the collaborative spirit that comes with group lessons (even if they are taking a solo examination) It encourages the students to be social, considerate, and cooperative.
- One-to-one or one-to-two learning allows for the students to have the teacher attention for the entirety of the lesson.
- Lessons will be tailored to the needs of the individual or pair.
- If your child has had to miss a lesson due to illness or a family emergency the teacher will be able to pick up from where your child left off.
- Will allow your child to work at their own pace.
- Ability to pick and choose the time your child is examined.
Exams
If your child is taking a Speaking Verse and Prose, Reading for Performance or an Acting exam they will need to bring neatly typed and printed copies of their script to hand in to the examiner in their exam. These often can be well presented in an A4 presentation folder. They can bring in a bottle of water, any props they may need or visual aids for a public speech. If you child is doing a power point presentation they will need to bring with them full A4 colour print outs of each of their slides in case their power point fails them (they will not get marked down for this).
Your child would have discussed clothing with their teacher. No full costumes are needed nor stipulated by the examining body. If your child is taking a communication exam (specking verse and prose, speaking in public, reading for performance) then smart clothing such as school uniform is required with shoes that are smart and comfortable. If your child is taking a Mime examination often black movement clothes such as leggings and a t-shirt with jazz shoes. plimsolls or trainers are advisable. If your child is taking an Acting or Devised examination, they would have discussed with their teacher what signifiers of costume to bring. If in doubt often black movement clothes with character appropriate footwear would be enough and a practice skirt (long ankle length black skirt) if needed for a period (Ancient Greek to early 20th Century) character.
You would have been sent an examination time directly by Pull the Other, from your child’s school or from your child’s teacher. The most important time is your child’s exam registration time. Please arrive promptly. Any latecomers risk missing their examination with no refund available.
Please accompany all children under the age of 16 to their exam and remain within the exam building in the waiting area for your child to finish and sign out. Due to the examinations being held on a weekend the regular school security is not fully operational. When the students are in their warm up and examination they are under Pull the Other and our teachers’ care however, once they have finished their examination they pass out of our care into their parent’s/carer’s care.
Please inform PTO as soon as possible so any exam partners may be informed, and the correct arrangements can be made. If your child is ill, you will need to provide a signed doctor note stating that your child was unable to attend their examination due to their illness. If your child is absent due to any other reason PTO can put your case forward to LAMDA for a Transfer Credit Voucher (TCV). Please see ‘Can I get an exam refund?’
Don’t panic! If your child’s exam partner is ill this will not affect your child. We will source a stand in such as another student who knows the piece or another teacher can read in with your child on the day. Your child will get a chance to rehearse with their new stand in before they take their exam. All duo LAMDA examination pieces are marked individually therefore your child’s mark will not be affected.
The time we tell you to arrive is your registration time and can be anything from 30mins to an hour or more before your child’s examination time. If your child is taking their exam in one of our private examination centres they will have been scheduled in for a warm up before their exam time. If they miss there warm up time, then unfortunately there is nothing we can do and they will have to go straight into their exam. We cannot change any exam times on the day or postpone exam times.
LAMDA provide no full direct refunds. If your child is ill, you will need to provide a signed doctor note stating that your child was unable to attend their examination due to their illness. If your child is absent due to any other reason PTO can put your case forward to LAMDA for a Transfer Credit Voucher (TCV). In any case you will receive a TCV for half the examination fee and this voucher will be used along with a further half examination fee payment to re-take their examination at a later date.
You can request exam times up to 8 weeks before their examination date. We will try to accommodate any time request where possible. We ask for all students to keep the exam day free from the start of the year. Examination times are scheduled according to the number of children taking their exam on the day and any time requests will be taken into consideration on a first come first serve basis.
We are a private LAMDA centre and we have to book our exam dates up to 9 months in advance to secure enough LAMDA examiners for the number of students. It is therefore not possible to change a date of a scheduled exam day. If your child is not able to attend the pre-scheduled examination for their class, please inform PTO as soon as possible so they can make other arrangements. There may be another private centre of PTOs free or you can travel to a public exam centre in London on either a Saturday or a Sunday which can be arranged by PTO.
Exam Results
This can be anytime between 3-6 working weeks. You will know as soon as we know.
For specific grade marking criteria please see the full LAMDA syllabus for communication and performance examinations.
- Pass 50-64
- Merit 65-79
- Distinction 80-100
New Tariff from September 2017:
- LAMDA Grade 6 (bronze medal) Distinction 12 points, Merit 10 points, Pass 8 points.
- LAMDA Grade 7 (silver medal) Distinction 16 points, Merit 14 points, Pass 12 points.
- LAMDA Grade 8 (gold medal) Distinction 30 points, Merit 27 points, Pass 24 points.
- LAMDA PCertLAM Distinction 24 points, Merit 16 points, Pass 8 points.
Some things to consider:
- Not all universities and colleges use the UCAS Tariff. Around half of all course entry requirements make reference to the Tariff.
- Use of the Tariff varies – some universities and colleges will list their entry requirements and make offers using only Tariff points; some will ask for specific qualifications and a set amount of Tariff points; and some will request Tariff points only from specific qualifications.
- Tariff points are allocated to the highest level of achievement. This means that you cannot gain points for a Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8 within the same subject/pathway.
Examination Locations
Depending on where your child takes their lessons (in school or privately) they will naturally fall under an allocated exam centre which will be provided in the important information when your child starts their lessons or discussed with you on booking your child in for private lessons. If your child takes their lessons in school, they will often take their examination on a Sunday at their school. If they take their lessons privately it may be possible to take their exam at a private in-school centre but you may have to journey to a public centre in central London on a Saturday or Sunday of your choice.
Length of lessons
Each child’s attention span is different. We certainly recommend certain lengths of lessons according to age and grade but then we also recommend what can be fitted into both the student and teacher’s timetable. Please see the approximate lesson length to child age and grade below:
- 30 mins Age 5-9 (Introductory to Level 1)
- 45 mins Age 9+ (Level 1 to Level 3)
- 60 mins Age 10+ (Level 1 to Level 3)
This is dependent on each child’s ability. LAMDA stipulate recommended learning hours which we use as a guide and have worked for us and our students:
- Introductory stage 1-3 exams (Minimum age 5) 5-8 teacher led hours
- Entry Level (Minimum age 7) 10-16 teacher led hours
- Level One (Minimum age 8) 10-16 teacher led hours
- Level Two (Minimum age 11) 12-16 teacher led hours
- Level Three (Minimum age 12) 15-20+ teacher led hours
Exam preparation
By integrating their LAMDA prep into their weekly homework timetable as if it were Maths, English or a Musical Instrument. Making sure they complete their LAMDA homework each week by looking at their work, asking them about their progress, testing them on their lines and watching their practices.
The more you practice the easier it becomes (technically!) Some find this task easy and a delight, others, well don’t! Our founder, Rachel Nussbaum, falls into the latter and always struggled through her own LAMDA grade learning right through to her professional life and her Dyslexia doesn’t help her! She’s found a few ways that work for her and her students’ who also find it sometimes an insurmountable task…
- Don’t panic and give yourself time. The sooner you start your learning the better
- If you’ve skipped the first step, don’t worry, just pick up and keep going with your practise the key is little and often. Memory is more dependent on technique and habit than natural ability
- Record yourself saying your lines (word perfectly for those actors and speaking verse and prose students!) into your phone or another recording device and listen to this recording morning and evening and anytime in between – on your way to and back from school, during break and lunch, a visit to your granny’s, before you get into bed. Say it along with your recording and you’ll be flying in no time.
- Parrot fashion. Nothing beats the old-fashioned method (except for maybe the recording), some find reading and seeing the letters on the page helps commit it to memory – how about you do this with the recording?
- Type up your script a few times. You need to do this anyway for your acting or speaking verse and prose exam so why not get a head start. It’s a kinaesthetic/active way of learning and committing it to memory.
- Once you’ve started blocking (adding movements to) your scene you should always be up on your feet in the largest space available in your house rehearsing your scene in full, movements and all! This again is a kinaesthetic/active way of learning and without you learning it this way, by the time you come to perform your piece in class (no matter how well you could recite it sitting on your bed) you’ll forget the words and you also won’t know your movements. This has the possibility to throw you into despair – save yourself the grief and enjoy rehearsing it properly to begin with!
- Try and rehearse with your partner for a duologue as much as possible. Nothing beats reacting to the real thing rather than a page, recording, your mum or your dog/cat/fish.
- Sleep, sleep is the most important factor. Harvard medical states, “research suggests that sleep helps learning and memory in two distinct ways. First, a sleep-deprived person cannot focus attention optimally and therefore cannot learn efficiently. Second, sleep itself has a role in the consolidation of memory, which is essential for learning new information.
- Happy learning ☺
Payments
Payment is made via Bank Transfer through our management systems partner, GoCardless. If you are paying for school lessons, you’ll be able to set up a termly or thrice termly direct debit through our management systems partner, GoCardless. In order to keep exam fees at a direct price you will be billed for these separately directly from our accounts system, Xero and these are payable through bank transfer. We do not accept cheques or cash payments.
You will be able to pay in termly or thrice termly instalments for school lessons excluding the exam fee payment which will need to be paid in full, usually separately billed for in the October half term for the Spring term exam date and in the Easter holidays for the end of Summer term exam date. Private lesson fees are often billed for in total and you have the option of full payment, half payment or quarterly payments excluding the exam fee payment which will need to be paid in full.
LAMDA do not offer full exam refunds. If your child has been ill or unable to attend their examination due to an unforeseen emergency LAMDA will need either a doctor note or an emailed appeal for a Transfer Credit Voucher (TCV) which will cover half the examination cost, so you can re-book the examination. Please note, when you re-book the exam you will need to pay half the exam cost.
Unfortunately we cannot process childcare vouchers as we are not registered with OFSTED. Although we aren't registered please be rest assured that in order to teach our students within school we not only DBS and insurance check our freelance staff ourselves but they are double checked when teaching in schools by the school themselves.
Once you have booked onto the course and payment has been made no refunds are available. Once you have enrolled you are signed onto a rolling contract whereby one full term’s notice needs to be given in lieu of payment. Even if your child does not plan to attend the term in lieu payment must still be paid. A similar rule applies to private tuition, 4 full lessons payment is due from notice to cease lessons. If Pull the Other has had to cancel the term’s lessons before starting you will be issued a full term’s refund. No other reason would negotiate a full term’s refund.
Please see our Private lessons page where you will find a fully updated list of lesson costs, grade and time dependent. We can offer small discounts to siblings in private lessons.
Please see our School lessons page where you will find a fully updated list of lesson costs that are grade and year dependent.
How do I stop lessons?
If any school lesson student is wanting to cease their lessons, one full term’s notice must be given in writing or by email directly to your session teacher or directly to PTO, this can only be done by the parent or carer of the student wishing to withdraw. For further information please read our terms and conditions 3.1-3.7.
If any private lesson student is wanting to cease their lessons, 4 lessons notice must be given in writing or by email directly to your teacher or directly to PTO, this can only be done by the parent or carer of the student wishing to withdraw. For further information please read our terms and conditions 3.8-3.13.
We have to run a strict notice period to avoid leaving our teachers without work or pay. If you have missed a notice period, we will take your notice to be for the term which is applicable to our terms and conditions according to the date the notice was sent.
If you are a current school lesson student or parent and wish to stop lessons the following school year in September, notice will need to be given by a parent or carer before the start of the current year’s summer term – often around April time. The summer holidays do not count as a term as it is a holiday period. The term you need to consider is the full school summer term that runs from April to June/July each year.
Waiting List
School Lessons
- Autumn term intake notified June-September
- Mid-Spring term intake notified December-January
Private lessons
As lessons only become available according to teacher availability and their current student number you will be told as realistic a waiting time as possible on first enquiry.
Yes. We operate a first come first serve booking system and by cancelling student lessons you are removed from our system and will have to re-apply.