Exams & Uniforms

Examinations RAD & Standard, French Dance Terms. Uniforms Ballet & Modern.
The school is primarily an Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD) Ballet School. All children must take ballet first which builds deportment, co-ordination and strength in the body.  After spending a few years on ballet, children are then ready to tackle and easily master any style of dance. It is the school policy for children to be examined privately until grade 2 or 3.  This will be arranged by the teacher at the convenience of the school and to accommodate the annual show. By the time a child reaches grade 2 or 3 and still appears interested in dancing, then at this stage, it is worth the added expense for extra classes needed to achieve the standard necessary to enter the RAD examination.
BALLET EXAMINATIONS  Children can be entered for school examinations up to grade 2 and 3 then for Royal Academy examinations from Grade 3/4 if attending two Ballet classes each week. Any child wishing to do an examination should ensure that they have a current syllabus and practice tape.  These can be obtained from the teacher. ACHIEVEMENTS  EXPECTED  OF  CHILDREN  ENTERING  RAD EXAMINATIONS Each examination requires a greater knowledge of the work from the previous year.  The candidate must display the correct use of the required muscles during her/his performance and show the purpose and aim of each exercise.  She/he must also improve strength of the spine and legs and be able to perform the exercises with grace and poise. Each year  foot-work should be stronger and therefore neater and more flexible than the year before.  Knowing the syllabus is most certainly not sufficient for a  Royal Academy Examination, therefore a child wishing to enter this examination  should devote three-quarters of an hour each or every alternate day to a serious practice session thus strengthening her/his body to the required standard. Any pupil  achieving the standard necessary to enter the R.A.D examination will most certainly have a feeling of great achievement and will therefore gain a confidence secure in the knowledge that she/he has been rewarded for her/his efforts. SCHOOL EXAMINATION Children unable to commit themselves to this extent, should continue to enter for the school exam. The school examination is based upon the candidate doing little home practice and therefore the required strength from her/his body will not be of the same high standard. LIFE AFTER Children usually decide at the age of 14 or 15  whether or not they continue attending classes purely for pleasure, or for the enjoyment of appearing in the annual show without the added pressure of exams.  The exceptional child may decide to take it more seriously and become totally dedicated.  Dance can now be studied further at University level where a three year degree course can be taken, however an exceptional child wishing to join a classical company must at 16-18 years of age be of  a standard to audition for a full-time ballet school in London.  Any such child needs careful guidance and close monitoring  with lots of help and encouragement from staff and parents. Parents of children thinking of attaining this level should make this known to a member of staff.

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Last modified: 18 November, 2004