R.A.D BALLET EXAMS AND VACATION SCHOOL
RAD BALLET EXAMS AND VACATION SCHOOL INFORMATION
R.A.D. BALLET EXAMS INFORMATION 2026
IMPORTANT GENERAL INFORMATION
The RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) offers Ballet students from Primary to Advanced 2 the opportunity to participate in annual exams. Exams are not compulsory. However, exams can offer students the opportunity to challenge themselves and provide focus in their class. Not all students are ready for the rigours of exams, and our teachers will advise whether they feel your child should participate. Teacher approval is mandatory for any student entering an exam.
PrePrimary Ballet students also have the opportunity to undergo an assessment conducted by an RAD examiner. The children participate in their class groups accompanied by their teacher, and work through their usual class syllabus while being observed by the examiner. Students who do not wish to do the assessment will still move on with their class next year provided their teacher feels they are ready.
If you are interested in your child taking part in exams you must ensure that he/she attends all classes throughout Term 2, including any required extra lessons. Exam students from Primary to Advanced 2 must also attend the Winter Vacation School held at Pirani Hall (please see details below). It is also a school requirement that all Term fees have been paid. No student will be permitted to submit an Exam entry until and unless all fees are paid up to date. Please contact our office if you have any questions or concerns.
The proposed dates for the RAD Ballet exams for Primary to Advanced 2 are in the weeks following the July School holidays. These dates, and the Pre-primary assessment date are yet to be confirmed.
Exams are conducted during standard work hours (usually 9am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday). Working parents should consider this when submitting an entry for their child, as the exam timetable is determined by the RAD, and the school has no way of altering it to suit parents’ schedules. Students usually go into their exam in small groups of 3 or 4 children. Each group will be assigned a specific time within the exam timetable. The length of time allotted for an exam varies according to grade, but they will run between 20 minutes and 90 minutes. Students must arrive at Pirani Hall correctly dressed and groomed at least 30 minutes before their assigned exam time.
All students in Primary to Advanced 2 who participate in an exam will receive a detailed report from the examiner on their performance. Students who successfully pass their exam will also receive a medal and a certificate from the RAD. Pre-primary students will not be awarded any marks but will receive an RAD medal and certificate.
VOCATIONAL EXAMS – INTERMEDIATE FOUNDATION TO ADVANCED 2
Vocational Ballet exams are demanding and exacting and are a significant step-up from the previous grades’ exams. Students are required to exhibit a high standard of strength, technique and understanding of the syllabus. This requires a strong commitment from students not just in class attendance, but in focus and attention in class. The examiner will mark students based on strict criteria, and a pass is not guaranteed. In Advanced 1 and 2 students must be given a pass-mark in each criterion, not just overall, to be awarded an overall pass for the exam.
Even with the best preparation and effort some students will not pass their exam. This is, of course, very disappointing and sometimes devastating for the student, their parents and their teachers. Our school will never reprimand or punish a student who does not pass an exam. We will offer whatever support is needed in terms of feedback and review, and try to ensure the student understands that this one setback does not mean they do not have a future in dance. It should be noted that it is quite rare for our students not to pass an exam, but parents should consider that possibility when entering their child in a Vocational Grade exam. It is also important to note that many fine dancers have failed on their first attempt at an exam but have still gone on to become successful professional dancers.
WINTER VACATION SCHOOL
Participation in the Winter Vacation School is compulsory for all exam students from Primary to Advanced 2. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to consolidate and polish their syllabus work ready for their exams under the tutelage of a R.A.D guest teacher - Ms Christine Atkinson for Primary to Grade 4 and Grade 8, and Ms Anna Veretennikova for the Vocational grades and Grade 7. Non- exam students from Grade 7 to Advanced are also welcome to attend and should complete the Vacation School registration available on our website.
Pre-Primary Ballet classes will run as usual during the June/July School Holidays and all children participating in the assessment MUST attend all classes.
Please do not enter your child for an exam if you are not prepared, or able to, ensure their attendance during the school holidays.
VACATION SCHOOL TIMETABLES
Primary to Grade 4 and Grade 8
Monday 29th June to Friday 3rd July
9.00am Primary
10.00am Grade 1
11.00am Break
11.15am Grade 2
12.15pm Lunch
12.45pm Grade 3
2.00pm Grade 4
3.15pm Break
3.30pm Grade 8
4.45pm Grade 7
6.00pm Finish
Vocational Grades and Grade 7
Wednesday 8th July to Sunday 12th July
9.00am Intermediate Foundation
10.30am Break
10.45am Intermediate
12.15pm Lunch
12.45pm Advanced Foundation
2.15pm Advanced 1
3.45pm Break
4.00pm Advanced 2
6.00pm Finish
EXAM UNIFORMS AND GROOMING
All exam students must wear the specified uniform. Our school also expects a high level of personal grooming. Hair is to be worn in a Classical bun at ear height, unless otherwise advised by the class teacher. All hair must be smoothed back from the face and secured with hairspray or gel. No nail polish, tattoos, or jewellery of any kind to be worn. Students are not required to wear make-up.
PREPRIMARY
Red leotard
Red regulation chiffon skirt
Flesh Ballet Socks
Pink Ballet shoes with flesh elastic
PRIMARY
Lilac Regulation leotard
Lilac regulation chiffon skirt
Flesh socks
Pink Ballet shoes with flesh elastic
GRADE 1
Deep Pink regulation leotard
Flesh socks or seamless pink Ballet tights
Pink Ballet shoes with flesh elastic
Hair ribbons -supplied by Studio
Navy or Black character skirt
Black Character shoes (low heel) with flesh elastic
GRADE 2
Cornflower blue regulation leotard
Seamless pink Ballet tights
Pink Ballet shoes with flesh elastic
Hair ribbons -supplied by Studio
Navy or black character skirt
Black Character shoes (low heel) with flesh elastic
GRADE 3
Purple leotard
Seamless pink Ballet tights
Pink Ballet shoes with ribbons
Hair ribbons - supplied by Studio
Navy or black character skirt
Black Character shoes (higher heel) with flesh elastic
GRADE 4
Teal blue leotard
Seamless pink Ballet tights
Pink Ballet shoes with ribbons
Hair ribbons – supplied by Studio
Navy or black character skirt
Black Character shoes (higher heel) with flesh elastic
GRADE 7
Leotard (Colour to be advised)
Seamless pink Ballet Tights
Ballet Shoes
Chiffon Skirt (Hired)*
Character skirt (Hired)*
*Hire fee total - $30
GRADE 8
As per Grade 7
VOCATIONAL GRADES
· Hair in a classical bun. Ribbon in bun to match leotard.
· No jewellery, nail polish or tattoos
· First Class Dance wear has a range of RAD approved leotards (please check with teacher before buying)
· Seamless Pink Tights
· Shoes - Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2: Pink Leather or canvas Ballet shoes – no ribbons,
Pointe shoes with ribbons
Students performing Variation A in their exam will require a tutu skirt in a colour matching their leotard. Our school has half black tutus available for hire at a cost of $25 payable on the day of exam. If requiring a different colour you will need to purchase your own from First Class Dancewear.
Students performing Variation B will need to purchase a skirt from First Class Dancewear. Please note that not all Variation selections have been made at the time of printing.

