Welcome! This page serves as a one-stop resource for all details related to the RAD Ballet Exams. Here, you’ll find important dates, preparation guidelines, packing lists, and communication policies to ensure a smooth exam experience. If there is anything that I have not covered here please do not hesitate to send me a WhatsApp.
📅Important Dates
Exam Registration Deadline: 1 September 2025
EXAM DATE: WEDNESDAY 22 OCTOBER 2025
Mock Exam: TBC
Mock exam information
Please click on the link below for all information regarding Mock examination
Exam timetable
📜Exam process, requirements & visual standards for exam attire
Attire Requirements:
> Ballet Shoes: Clean and well maintained
> Ballet Stockings: No ladders, rips or stains. The correct pink stockings
> Leotards, skirts & character skirts will be fitted during class time – invoices will follow in the exam month for exam attire hire
If you need to buy ballet shoes or stockings we do stock them, there is limited stock so please to avoid disappointment. Orders can be done by completing the link below 👇🏻
📩 School Letter Request Form
If your child requires a letter for school, please complete the form below:
🎒 Packing List & Where to Buy Essentials
✅ Ballet Shoes
✅RAD Grade 1 Ballet – RAD Grade 5 Ballet please ensure that you have your character shoes
✅ Ballet Stockings
✅ Leotard/Tunic
✅ Hair Accessories (pins, nets, hairspray, hair gel, brushes, combs, hair spray) – these items can be purchased from Dischem & Clicks. Please can l ask for all the hair items to be brought in a bag so we can pack all the items away when we are done with the dancers hair.
✅ Water Bottle
✅ Snacks (non-messy options)
🚫 No nail polish, no jewelry – please remove all earrings from the girls ears prior to the exam.
✅ A ballet bag to keep all the dancers things together
**If you are ordering any hair items or clothing off of Shein or Temu please ensure that there is enough time for it to get here.**
For dancers who have their hair done at a salon please can we have a bun or braids or their natural hair that would be able to be placed in a bun and well secured on the day as we need to have the girls hair out of their faces
- Non-Viewing Policy: Parents may not observe the exam to ensure a focused environment
- Parents are welcome to sit and wait in their cars whilst the dancers are getting ready and having their hair done before the exam
- Please pack in a change of clothes and shoes for the girls to change into after their exam. Please pack in a warm gown or jacket – something that wont go over the girls hair after it has been done.
📞 Exam Day Communication & Support
- All questions must be sent before: 20 October 2025
- On Exam Day: Only WhatsApp messages (no phone calls)
- Community Help: Parents can assist each other in the group chat
⏳ Punctuality!!
⚠️ DO NOT BE LATE! ⚠️
Arriving late may jeopardize entry into the exam.
Dancers are to please arrive at the time indicated in red on the exam timetable sent via the Whatsapp group (1 hour & 15 minutes before the exam)
Side Note:
If someone other than you will be fetching or bringing dancers to exams and needs to be added to the WhatsApp group, please let me know by today so I can include them. Alternatively, you can forward all relevant information to them so they are prepared.
We know the girls are going to to do us proud and we hope they enjoy the fruits of their hard work 🍀🍀🍀🍀🩷🩷🩷🩷
If any of the girls would like to put in a final practice at home, please use the videos posted on the class bands from the mock exam and the additional practice we had.
Thank you again for your continues support!
🏅 What Happens After the Exam?
🌟 On Exam Day
- After the exam, students will exit the exam room and have a few photos taken.
- They will then return their leotard before heading home.
📈 Progression to the Next Grade
- Once the exam is completed, students officially move up to the next RAD exam grade and will begin preparing for their new syllabus in class.
📜 Certificates & Medals
- The RAD processing time for certificates and medals is approximately 6–8 months.
- As soon as any updates are received, I will share the information and post an announcement to keep everyone informed.
- Once certificates and medals arrive, they will be handed out during class time alongside a short recognition moment.
📸 Photo Sharing
- Pictures from the certificate handout will be taken and shared on WhatsApp &/ Band.
- Parents are also encouraged to share their own photos in the group so we can celebrate everyone’s achievements together!
Ballet exam class vs school grade
We’ve had a few questions about ballet grading, so I wanted to clarify: Ballet grades do not match school grades. Because the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is an international syllabus, it follows age and developmental benchmarks that differ from school systems around the world.
Here’s a quick guide:
🩰Pre-Primary Ballet = School Grade 0
🩰Primary Ballet = School Grade 1
🩰RAD Grade 1 Ballet = School Grades 1–2
🩰RAD Grade 2 Ballet = School Grades 3–4
And so on…
To check which class your dancer is currently in, please refer to the Class WhatsApp Group name, Timetable or the exam letter.
does my child need character shoes?
Character shoes are only required for RAD Grades 1 – RAD Grade 5 (typically School Grades 1–6, ages 7+),