The Royal Academy of Dance is one of the world’s most influential dance education and training organisations. They promote knowledge, understanding and practice of dance internationally. We seek to accomplish this through promoting dance, educating and training students and providing examinations to set standards and reward achievement.
The RAD is recognised internationally for the highest standards of teaching and learning, as a leader in continuing professional development in dance and as the professional membership body that supports and promotes dance teachers at every step of their career encouraging their innovative contributions to dance and education throughout the world.
The RAD has a long history of improving dance training standards. It was founded in 1920 to re-invigorate dance teaching within the UK; however, over time it has expanded its influence and activities internationally counting currently more than 1,000 students in full-time or part-time teacher training programmes. With our examination syllabus being taught to more than a quarter of a million students worldwide, we help and encourage our teachers to perfect their teaching skills and pass on this knowledge to their students.
The Academy’s patron is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Today the RAD has a presence in 79 countries, with 36 offices and over 13,000 members worldwide. We support our membership base of professional dancers, students, teachers, benefactors and friends through the knowledge, support and technical expertise of our highly qualified staff and the social interaction of like-minded enthusiasts at RAD conferences, workshops, training courses or summer schools.
RAD Examinations Board
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) offers an internationally recognised portfolio of examinations and assessments which is designed to motivate and encourage students of all ages and levels of ability, through a systematic measurement of progress and attainment. Examinations are organised and administered by the RAD Examinations Board.
Students may start with the Pre-School Dance Curriculum, move up through Pre-Primary and Primary levels and then into eight Graded levels or six Vocational Graded levels. Students may move from the Graded pathway to the Vocational Graded pathway at an appropriate time; or they may study both pathways simultaneously.
The RAD examinations provide students with:
- Achievable goals to work towards
- Recognition from the world’s largest ballet examination board
- Qualifications that are fully accredited by the UK regulatory authorities
- The Impetus to achieve their personal best in a fun and nurturing environment
The Graded Examinations in Dance syllabus provides a broad practical dance education and develops technical, musical and performance skills. It incorporates ballet, free movement and character and with the new Pre-Primary in Dance and Primary in Dance it is appropriate for students from the age of five years.
