Assessment

An assessment is organised between the Assessor and the Chair but the Commissioner /  Lead Volunteer must be aware of the assessment as they are responsible for approving the activity to go ahead.

The Chair should contact an Assessor or go via the National Performing Arts SASU using the Application Form for Assessment for Staged Performances.

Requests for assessment must be made a minimum of 3 months before the performance, and ideally at the initial planning stages.

An Assessor will view the performance and will give feedback to the Chair and Commissioner / Lead Volunteer. The Assessor will point out the strengths of the show and offer points of improvement, no matter what the standard is.

If the Assessor has concerns about the safety of young people or the environment, they must contact the relevant Commissioner / Lead Volunteer immediately after seeing the show.

The performance should be assessed being mindful of the performance objectives, the audience it is intended for, the age of the cast and the facilities that the performance is working with.

There are two elements to the Assessment:

Section A – Compliance with Legal Requirements and Scout Association Rules

It is the responsibility of the Chair to make sure that these are complied with. The Assessor will review them as far as is practical. This is a pass / fail category. If there is a fail in any of these areas then no future performances shall be produced until measures have been put in place to ensure that these requirements are met.

There are 8 parts to the sections. They all need to be met.

Section B – The Production

These are elements of the performance that reflect the standard and whether it is suitable for public viewing. There are 4 categories:

• Does not meet minimum standards / not public performance ready. This is where the production, or elements of the production are not of a standard to be presented to a paying public. This could include areas where the production could impact The Scout Association’s reputation.
• Meets minimum standards / is public performance ready. The performance is suitable to be seen by a paying public and reflects well on Scouting and Girlguiding
• Exceeds minimum standards/ outstanding performance. This is used to acknowledge areas where the performance is to be congratulated on achieving a very high standard.
• Not applicable if an element hasn’t been used eg lighting, makeup. 

There are 19 elements to this section. Each element is assessed separately. The full staged performance assessment criteria can be found in the assessment form.

Those undertaking staged performance assessments need to have sufficient experience to undertake the role. This may include those who have undertaken senior production roles in shows previously.

Assessors need to contact the National Performing Arts SASU for support and an induction into the current assessment requirements.

The Assessor will send a report to the Commissioner/Lead Volunteer and the Chair. This report should ideally be submitted within two weeks of seeing the show.

If any element of the show does not meet minimum standards the Assessor will advise the performance on how to improve to meet the minimum standards. If desired and requested, the Assessor could work with the Chair to achieve a successful future assessment. The Commissioner/Lead Volunteer, in conjunction with the Chair, should put in place measures to improve the staged performance. A performance may continue while working towards assessment standard, unless the Assessor has concerns about the safety of young people or environmental factors

After a successful assessment the Commissioner/Lead Volunteer and Chair will determine an appropriate way to celebrate.