GRADES- A PARENTS GUIDE!!!

Grades are part of the British Gymnastics National Development plan. They are aimed at gymnasts of a good standard and are the only route into qualification for the British Championships.

When a gymnast takes a grade, they are required to complete routines relevant to their age group at the British Championships.They can obtain their grade with either a PASS,MERIT or DISTINCTION. A pass allows the gymnast to move onto their next grade the following year. A merit qualifies the gymnast to take part in the National Grades Finals, a national competition. A distinction qualifies the gymnast to take part in the British Championship A gymnast must score between 40-45% of the total marks for a pass, 46-59% of the total marks to score a merit and 60% to score a distinction. Just to confuse you even more!!!!! the total marks are not out of 30 marks so a gymnast wouldn`t have to score 15 marks for 50%. It is actually marked out of less ( varies with grade). If a gymnast qualifies for the British Championships they must also pass a flexibility test and obtain 70% on this to qualify.

So-why do grades??? Some gymnasts will never move from the "novices" category and will remain in this competition for their gymnastics career. For those with a little more potential, the challenge soon becomes lost in novices and they simply need to progress to the next level !!!! However the decision to move to grades needs to be carefully considered as in most novices competitions the eligibility to take part is lost once a grade is taken . For these gymnasts who take the grades there is then the option to take part in intermediate competitions and national competitions.

Grades can be very confusing!!!!!!! Hope this guide helps you !!!!!!!