Membership and Licensee Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions form the basis of the contract through which the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) will deliver membership services to you as a member.
1. Membership and Licences
1.1 The RAD membership categories fall into two types: non-professional and professional membership.
1.1.1 Non-professional membership categories:
- RAD Member
- RAD Member Plus
1.1.2 Professional membership categories:
- RAD Registered Teacher
- RAD Teacher
1.2 RAD licence categories:
- Silver Swans Licensee
2. Membership/Licence Applications
2.1 The eligibility criteria for applications to the RAD Member Plus and RAD Registered Teacher categories are based on your most recent/highest RAD qualification. If you have achieved a qualification that entitles you to become RAD Member Plus, you cannot apply for the RAD Member category.
2.2 We reserve the right to reject an application for membership without disclosing the reason(s) for doing so. Prospective members wishing to appeal can do so by contacting membership@rad.org.uk. Candidates wishing to appeal an ineligibility decision for the Silver Swans licence must contact cpd@rad.org.uk.
2.3 On receipt, our acceptance of your membership application remains subject to approval. If approved, we will contact you to arrange payment.
2.4 The membership team will invoice and/or contact prospective Silver Swans licensees within 30 days of completing the Silver Swans licensee workshop.
2.5 All information you provide must be true and accurate at the point of application. In the event of a change of circumstances (e.g. a change of contact details), it is your responsibility to update your details via the Members’ Area, or to notify us by phone, email, or in writing, so that our records are up to date.
2.6 You will be issued with a unique RAD ID which you should use when communicating with us.
2.7 Regardless of who pays for it, memberships/licences belong to the individual and not to an organisation/school. Any dispute arising from this must be resolved by the member/licensee and their organisation/school.
2.8 If you are a member, your membership status at the point of registration for a Silver Swans Workshop must match the membership status at the point of attendance.
2.9 If you are an RAD Registered Teacher and take a membership break of 12 months or more, you would be subject to the eligibility criteria at the time of application.
3. Membership/licence payments, renewals, and cancellations
3.1 RAD annual membership and licence fees are calculated on a 12-month rolling basis. As a new member/licensee, you will begin your membership year on the date you join and will then automatically renew 12 months later, on your renewal date.
3.2 Applicants/members/licensees in countries where the euro is the currency are required to pay the subscription fee in euros. The currency payable is not optional.
3.3 As a member/licensee, you will have a 14-day cooling-off period, from the date of payment, in which you have the right to cancel your subscription. We will refund your payment within 30 days of cancellation. This will, however, incur a handling fee of 10%. You must confirm in writing if you wish to cancel your subscription.
3.4 You must confirm in writing or by email to membership@rad.org.uk if you wish to cancel your membership/licence. You are required to give no less than 30 days’ notice in advance of your annual renewal date.
3.5 If you cancel your membership/licence, and re-apply in the future, you are subject to the eligibility criteria at the time of application. Any previous loyalty entitlements may not continue.
3.6 We reserve the right to make changes to benefits and services, and to review and amend membership/licence subscription fees. You will be informed of any change in your renewal notification. Our website will also detail these fees and any other changes to your membership.
3.7 If you wish to change your membership category part-way through the year, you will be required to pay the difference (if the membership fee is higher). If the membership fee is lower, a part refund will not be given.
4. Reduced Rates for non-professional Members
4.1 Non-professional Members
4.1.1 If you are a RAD Member or RAD Member Plus and meet the following criteria you are eligible for the reduced rate:
- Under 18
- In full-time education (proof required)
- Over age 65
- Not currently working (proof required)
- On maternity/paternity/parental/adoption leave (proof required)
- Resident at an address in the following postcodes surrounding RAD global headquarters: SW11 1, SW11 2, SW11 3, SW11 4, or SW11 5.
4.1.2 Where proof is required, you will be asked to submit supporting evidence by the Membership team annually. Falsely claiming eligibility for this category may result in disciplinary action. It is your responsibility to update the RAD if your circumstances have changed.
4.2 Professional Members
If you are applying for RAD Registered Teacher Membership and meet the following criteria you are eligible for the following reduced rate. Only one discounted rate can be applied.
4.2.1 Professional Benesh members qualify for a 20% discount.
This discount applies only to Certified Benesh, Chorologist and Qualified Benesh Notator members only.
This discount is valid on new RAD RTS memberships and on existing RAD RTS memberships with a renewal date of November 1 or later.
It is the responsibility of the member to ensure the discount to their membership fee has been applied, the RAD will not backdate any discounts.
Benesh members applying for new RAD RTS membership must use the promo code BENESH on the membership application form to qualify.
4.2.2 Students from RAD Faculty of Education will be entitled to a 10% discount off the cost of their first year of RAD Registered Teacher membership. This is valid for 12 months after their graduation date. e.g. a graduate date in October 2021 will allow a discount to be claimed until 31 October 2022.
5. Instalment payments
5.1 The RAD can offer instalment plans on a discretionary basis to members who may struggle to pay their annual membership fee. Instalment plans are valid for one year of membership and members will not automatically be offered an instalment plan for subsequent years.
5.2 Instalment due dates are fixed and non-negotiable. If it is agreed you will pay in instalments, you must ensure that you pay each of your Instalments on or before the due date to keep your membership active. Payment must be made for any outstanding payments.
5.3 If you have not paid an instalment by the due date you will no longer be able to access membership benefits.
5.4 Annual membership subscription fees, via instalment payments remain due until the membership has been cancelled.
5.4 If you have not paid an instalment by the due date but wish to continue into the next year of membership, you will be required to pay any instalments before commencing the next membership year.
6. RAD Teacher members
6.1 If you are not dance teaching and are eligible for RAD Registered Teacher status, you will be eligible for the RAD Teacher membership category. As a RAD Teacher member, you will not appear on our register of teachers or Find a Dance Teacher map and you will receive some but not all the benefits of an active RAD Registered Teacher.
This category is only for dance teachers taking a permanent or temporary break from dance teaching of one year or more.
The following inactive dance teachers are eligible for RAD Teacher at the reduced rate:
- In full-time education (proof required)
- Not currently working (proof required)
- On maternity/paternity/parental/adoption leave (proof required)
- Retired (proof required)
- Over age 65
6.2 Where proof is required, you will be asked to submit supporting evidence by the Membership team annually. Falsely claiming eligibility for this category may result in disciplinary action. It is your responsibility to update the RAD if your circumstances have changed.
7.1 RAD Registered Teacher members
7.1 To become an RAD Registered Teacher, members must meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
7.2 If a RAD Registered Teacher takes a membership break of 12 months or more they would be subject to the eligibility criteria at the time of application.
7.3 As a professional teaching member, you are required to renew your membership annually, no later than the renewal date, to retain your Registered Teacher status.
7.4 If you have not paid your membership subscription by the renewal date you will no longer be able to use the professional teaching benefits.
7.5 Annual membership subscription fee payments remain due until the membership has been cancelled
7.6 Teaching membership subscription fee payments not received within three months of the expiry date will incur a reinstatement fee of £40/€43.
7.7 Participation in the CPD scheme is mandatory for RAD teaching members. You will need to accrue a minimum number of CPD hours each year to retain your RAD Teacher status. This requirement must be completed in the CPD year (1 September to 31 August). Each year, five percent of teaching members are audited and asked to submit evidence in support of their CPD declaration.
7.8 There are mandatory safeguarding standards, which RAD Registered Teachers are required to declare upon application and at the point of renewal, these are:
- Inclusion of an up-to-date CV and a commitment to supply Professional References to the RAD upon request (for new and reinstating applicants only).
- Proof of a criminal record check (enhanced disclosure with a check of relevant barred list or the international equivalent). This must be renewed every three years or teachers may supply proof of subscription to an update service where available.
- A Self-declaration regarding criminal convictions.
- Proof safeguarding training has been undertaken annually as part of the CPD scheme.
- Each year, the five percent of teaching members audited as part of the CPD audit process, are asked to submit evidence in support of their safeguarding requirements declaration. Failure to declare or providing false information may lead to disciplinary action.
8. Musical Theatre – Eligibility and Use
8.1 RAD Registered Teachers who have successfully completed the RAD Musical Theatre Continuing Professional Development (CPD) may be recognised as offering Musical Theatre.
This recognition is conditional upon holding a current RAD Teaching Membership and remains valid for the duration of that membership.
8.2 Eligible members may:
- Be identified as offering Musical Theatre on the RAD “Find a Dance Teacher” platform
- Access relevant Musical Theatre marketing resources
- Enter students for RAD Musical Theatre examinations
This recognition does not constitute a separate licence to teach and does not apply independently of RAD Teaching Membership.
8.3 The RAD reserves the right to amend, suspend, or withdraw Musical Theatre recognition and associated benefits at any time.
8.4 The RAD may introduce additional programme-specific terms where applicable.
9. Silver Swan licensees
9.1 A Silver Swans licence is awarded upon completion of Silver Swans Workshops, as outlined at www.royalacademyofdance.org/silverswans
9.2 Holding a Silver Swans licence means that:
9.2.1 You have access to resources not available to non-licensees
9.2.2 You have the right to call yourself a Silver Swans licensee and to use the Silver Swans logo to promote yourself as such
9.2.3 You have the right to be listed on the Silver Swans global provision map
9.2.4 Your details will be held in a Silver Swans licensee database and we will email you with news, updates, special offers, and additional benefits relevant to Silver Swans licensees (notably details about the RAD’s global press campaign in support of Silver Swans)
9.2.5 You agree to have your name listed on the Silver Swans licensee Register/Registry on the RAD website
9.3 By becoming a licensee, you agree to abide by the guidelines governing the use of the Silver Swans brand. Please note that you are not permitted to add text to, above, below, or beside the Silver Swans licensee logo. Please refer to the brand guidelines for full details and examples.
9.4 By becoming a licensee, you agree to refer to Silver Swan’s key messages before engaging with any members of the press.
9.5 Students that are currently enrolled in an FoE Teacher Training program (with the exception of the MA in Education (Dance Teaching)), or similar, are not able to take part in Silver Swans workshops until the completion of the course, as this will grant them the qualifications they require to attend the training.
9.6 Only teachers who have completed the Silver Swans workshops can lead Silver Swans classes. The licence is non-transferable and does not apply to a dance school as an entity.
9.7 Silver Swan licensees are not permitted to create merchandise using the Silver Swans logo. A range of RAD-assured dancewear and other merchandise using the Silver Swans brand is available at www.radenterprises.co.uk
9.8 The Silver Swans name and logo are registered trademarks, or have pending status, in the following territories. This means that Silver Swan’s licensees may deliver classes in any of the territories listed below and use the registered trademark ® Silver Swans name and logo. If you intend to deliver Silver Swans provision outside of these territories, you must use the Trademark (™) Silver Swans name and logo.
- United Kingdom
- European Union
- United States of America
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- China
- Hong Kong
- Mexico
9.9 By becoming a licensee, you agree that you will adhere to the Silver Swans Code of Conduct.
9.10 As a licensee, you are required to renew your licence annually and no later than the renewal date to retain your licence.
9.11 If you have not paid your licensee subscription by the renewal date, you will become lapsed and will no longer be able to use the professional licence benefits.
9.12 For existing teaching members and RAD Members/Members Plus:
9.12.1 You must retain/renew your membership fees to receive the relevant discount on your licence fee.
9.12.2 Your licence renewal dates will be in line with your membership renewal date.
9.12.3 If you become a Licensee mid-way through your membership year, the Licensee fee will be charged pro rata.
9.13 If you cancel your licence, or allow it to lapse, and re-apply in the future, you are subject to the eligibility criteria at the time of application. Any previous loyalty entitlements may not remain.
9.14 We reserve the right to review and amend licence fees. Our website will detail these fees and any other changes to the Silver Swans scheme.
10. Rules and regulations
10.1 It is your responsibility as a member to keep your RAD ID confidential.
10.2 By becoming a member, you agree that you will adhere to the Code of Conduct and Bye-Laws of the RAD’s Supplemental Charter.
10.3 Teaching members are also bound by the Code of Professional Practice for teachers.
10.4 Any breaches of the Code of Conduct or Code of Professional Practice will be dealt with in line with membership disciplinary procedures.
11. Young members
11.1 New members under the age of 16 must have parental consent when applying.
11.2 The recommended minimum reading age for the digital Dance Gazette Magazine is 13+.
12. Language
12.1 Your membership benefits and services will be supplied in English and we will communicate with you in the English language. From time to time there may be an exception at our discretion, but that is not guaranteed.
13. Data protection
We hold your contact details securely to enable us to provide information on RAD services and Silver Swans services, products, and activities that may be of interest to you. In providing us with this information, you permit us to contact you about these. We will not disclose your details to any third party without your express permission unless legally required to do so.
See our full Data Protection Policy and Global Membership Privacy Policy and Procedures.
14. Exit policy
14.1 You have the right to cancel your membership or licence at any time. Please give notice in writing or by email to membership@rad.org.uk indicating you wish to cancel. You are required to give notice of no less than 30 days in advance of your annual renewal date.
14.2 The RAD aims to acknowledge membership and licence cancellations within five days of receipt of the notice. If you have not received a response within two weeks of your written cancellation, you should contact membership@rad.org.uk to ensure your cancellation has been received.
14.3 Until you receive confirmation from the membership team regarding your cancellation, you remain obligated to the Terms and Conditions, Code of Conduct and Code of Professional Practice for teachers.
14.4 Once your membership has been cancelled your membership card, which remains the property of the RAD, will no longer be valid. Teaching members will no longer be able to practice as an RAD Registered Teacher. This means you will no longer be entitled to use the RAD Registered Teacher logo to advertise yourself, to display your Registered Teacher certificate, to be included on or searched for on the Register of Teachers or the Find a Dance Teacher map, use the letters RAD RTS after your name, or enter candidates for RAD exams. Silver Swans Licensees will no longer be entitled to be featured on the Find a Dance Teacher map.
14.5 Teaching members and Silver Swans licensees will have 30 days to remove the RAD Registered Teacher logo or Silver Swans Licensee logo from any websites, platforms or social media sites you may be using.
14.6 It is the responsibility of teaching members to inform any employers, employees, clients, or customers that you are cancelling your membership and are no longer a RAD Registered Teacher.
14.7 If you let your membership or licence lapse by not making payment at the time of your renewal, you will lose access to your benefits and will be subject to the same stipulations mentioned above.
14.8 The RAD cannot refund any part of your membership or licence fee if you decide to cancel your registration at any point during the year. Please refer to 3.3 if you are cancelling within the 14-day cooling-off period.
14.9 If you pay by Direct Debit, you can cancel your direct debit at any time by contacting your bank or building society. However, cancelling your direct debit does not end any contract with us. If you decide to cancel your membership by cancelling your direct debit instruction, please contact the membership team as soon as possible so we are aware of the cancellation.
14.10 It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the current eligibility criteria if you choose to reinstate your lapsed or cancelled membership in the future.
Terms and conditions of membership and the Silver Swans licence scheme are subject to revision.