Children’s dance classes

Family Dance (2½–3 years) 

A creative movement class for toddlers and their parent, grandparent, or carer. These classes are the perfect introduction to movement and dance and provide a springboard to the RAD Pre-school curriculum.

They are designed to improve children’s confidence and coordination and develop their social skills. Using an array of props and lively music, the classes guarantee to capture the children’s and adult’s imagination.

Dance to Your Own Tune 1 (3 years) / Dance to Your Own Tune 2 (4 years) 

Movement, music, and magic in our curriculum for children aged 3 and 4.

These lively but structured classes develop children’s physical skills and encourage creativity, expression, and musicality. And, behind all the fun, they’ll be prepared to move on to ballet and other dance genres at higher levels. Please note, students attend these classes without the accompaniment of parents or guardians.

Graded Ballet (Grades 1–5) 

The Graded ballet classes continue to develop strong classical technique, musicality, and artistry. Students can be entered for a Class Award or Examination by their teacher when they reach the required standard. Assessments are not mandatory to move through these grades. The syllabus encompasses:

Ballet – The foundation of all technique and artistry.
Free Movement – Exploring natural and flowing movements to develop expression and coordination.
Character – Performing national and folk-inspired dances adapted for each Grade.

Pre Vocational Ballet (Grade 3+) 

A non-syllabus class for students from Grade 3 upwards, designed to build strong technique, control, and sound knowledge of ballet vocabulary in preparation for Intermediate Foundation. This class supports a smooth transition from the Graded syllabus into Vocational levels.

Entry Requirements:

By recommendation of their teacher.

Must be taken in addition to at least one Graded class.

Vocational Ballet (Intermediate Foundation–Advanced 2) 

A comprehensive study of ballet for students aged 11+, focusing on advanced technique, musicality, artistry, and performance skills. Pointe work forms an essential part of the syllabus. 

This intensive, practical training prepares students for a professional dance career or dance-related pathway. Students aiming for Vocational exams should demonstrate the maturity, discipline, and technical skill required for this level of study.

Vocational Levels:

• Intermediate Foundation
• Intermediate
• Advanced Foundation
• Advanced 1
• Advanced 2

Advanced Non-Syllabus Ballet (Advanced Foundation+ only) 

A non-syllabus, classical ballet class for students of Advanced level. Students are given the opportunity to use their disciplined and technical Vocational syllabus training in this challenging and focused class.

Scholars 

Scholars is a class for students who show aptitude and passion in ballet. Students work to perfect technique, musicality, and artistry. There will be performance opportunities for these classes.

Entry is by invitation only.

Levels: 

• Junior (8–10 years) 
• Mid (11–14 years) 
• Senior (15–17 years) 

Ballet for Beginners (13–17 years) 

Suitable for students with little or no previous experience of ballet. This non-syllabus class introduces the fundamentals of ballet technique with an emphasis on fun and enjoyment. The study of ballet improves posture and coordination, allowing expression and communication through music and movement.

Boys Ballet (5–8, 9–12, and 13–17 years) 

A specialist non-syllabus class focusing classical male technique, developing core strength, and musicality.

Age guidelines are approximate according to the skill set of each class. 

Creative (4–7 years) 

Tell a story through dance in this inspiring and imaginative class. Children are encouraged to express themselves through music, movement, and improvisation. This class helps to prepare students for other dance genres including contemporary and jazz. 

Contemporary (8–18 years)

Contemporary dance is offered at three levels, developing movement skills and vocabulary while stretching physicality and creativity. Fun and informative, these class provide technique support for those taking GCSE or A Level Dance. 

Levels 1–2 provide the perfect introduction to contemporary dance technique, movement, and self-expression.

Levels 3 & 4 further develop movement skills and vocabulary, stretching students physically and creatively.

Age guidelines are approximate according to the skill set of each class. 

Commercial Jazz (4–7 and 8–13 years) 

Commercial Jazz is highly choreographed, and a stylised fusion of funk, hip hop, and pop often seen in commercial video clips, music videos and on TV. The class will work on termly choreographed routines which are great for fitness, strength, and stamina. 

Jazz (5–9 and 10–16 years)  

These fun and energetic classes develop coordination, jazz technique, and build confidence. Students develop their knowledge of turning, leaps, and isolated movements. Each classes comprises a series of warm-up exercises followed by a fun dance routine in a lively and energetic environment. 

Hip Hop (4–7, 8–12 and 13–17 years) 

High energy and stylised, these structured classes are designed to develop coordination, technique, and build confidence. Routines incorporate movements such as popping, locking, funk, jamming and hip hop and are performed to commercial and popular music. Students are also encouraged to express themselves through improvisation and freestyling! 

Musical Theatre (4–8 and 9–15 years) 

Covering a wide range of musical genres from theatre shows and films, Musical Theatre gives students the chance develop their singing, acting, and dancing. In these classes, students discover skills in pitch and tone, voice projection, and coordinated song and dance. Students work on scenes, dances, and songs, and perform these as solos or in groups.

RADiate 

We offer a RADiate class at the RAD dance school headquarters in Battersea where students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities can discover the benefits of dance in a weekly 45-minute session.

If you are interested in your child joining one of our RADiate sessions at our headquarters, please complete the registration form to join the waiting list and we’ll be in touch as soon as a space becomes available.