Junior Summer School

Monday 21 July 2025 – Saturday 2 August 2025

Events Short course Junior Summer School

Booking Deadline:

Monday 2 June 2025

Event Date:

Monday 21 July 2025 – Saturday 2 August 2025

Location:

Available Online?

No

Who’s it for?

Students aged 8 – 17, studying grade 2 – inter-foundation or equivalent. 

Fee:

Members £460 per week
Non-members £510 per week

Step into a world of dance this summer!

Come and enjoy a fun-filled week of dancing with us this summer. This programme is designed for young aspiring dancers. It provides an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in dance, learning within a creative environment, from top professional teachers in the industry whilst making friends with like-minded students from the UK and abroad. The week will enhance students’ dance technique and artistry and culminates in a sharing of work on the final day of the course—all taking place within the Academy’s world-class purpose-built studios and facilities.

Highlights of the programme include:

  • A West End theatre trip
  • Experience a variety of dance styles including ballet, group dance and creative and develop your skills in the performing arts
  • The chance to be taught by professional teachers with years of experience within the industry
  • The opportunity to perform to friends and family in the Aud Jebsen Studio Theatre at our purpose-built headquarters
  • Opportunities to share fun activities and classes with new friends

Win a Free Week at Junior Summer School – Book by 31 January!

Don’t miss out! Book your spot by 31 January 2025 and grab the chance to win a FREE week at the Junior Summer School! Imagine an unforgettable summer adventure—on the house! The lucky winner will be announced in February 2025.

Who can attend?

Junior Summer School students must be between the age of 8-17 years when they commence the course.

Students must be studying ballet, Grade 2 up to Intermediate Foundation, or the equivalent, and therefore be familiar with the ballet terminology and phrases at Grade 2 as a minimum. There is no audition, selection, or elimination process. Students will be grouped by the Artistic Team according to their age and the information provided on their application relating to their Grade in ballet and other dance experience. Please ensure your application is accurate.

Date

  • Week 1: Monday 21- Saturday 26 July 2025
  • Week 2: Monday 28 July – Saturday 2 August 2025

Closing date: Monday 2 June 2025

Venue

The Summer School will be held at our purpose-built studios in London. Full address details below:

Royal Academy of Dance
188 York Road
London
SW11 3JZ

Please see the travel guide to get to our studios.

Classes

All students will take classes in:

  • non-syllabus ballet
  • classical group dance
  • creative dance
  • body conditioning, yoga or pilates
  • and one other dance style that varies each week, the variable dance style will be one of the following: hip-hop, musical theatre or street dance.

All classes are compulsory and each dance class is 1 hour duration.

Times

Monday-Friday: 10.15am – 5pm
Saturday: Hours vary

  • Students will have a short morning and afternoon break with a longer lunch break in the middle of the day.
  • The theatre trip day will be an earlier start, and on the Saturday tuition hours vary for the parent open day.
  • A full timetable will be included in the final Information Pack sent to all attendees following the closing date.

Theatre trip

As part of the Junior Summer School students will attend a matinée West End performance one afternoon. Please note, coaches will be provided to escort all students to the theatre and parents will collect students from the theatre after the show. See details of the show each week below.

Week 1 – Wicked

Wednesday 23 July 2025, 2.30pm

Apollo Victoria Theatre, 17 Wilton Rd, Pimlico, London SW1V 1LG

When Dorothy famously triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West, we only ever heard one side of the story. Gregory Maguire‘s acclaimed 1995 novel, ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’, re-imagines the Land of Oz, creating a parallel universe to the familiar story written by L. Frank Baum and first published as ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ in 1900.

Week 2 – Matilda the Musical

Wednesday 30 July 2025, 2.00pm

Cambridge Theatre, 32-34 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9HU

Matilda The Musical is the multi-award winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company, inspired by the beloved book by Roald Dahl.

With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda The Musical is the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.

Winner of over 100 international awards, including 24 for Best Musical, Matilda has been delighting audiences in London’s West End for over 13 years. 

Tuition Award

One tuition award will be presented to a student (at any level) who has shown significant improvement at the RAD Junior Summer School. The award is one week’s tuition at an RAD Summer School in 2026 or 2027.

Faculty

The Summer School team consists of graduates of the RAD Professional Dance Teachers Diploma, teachers at the RAD Dance School, professional Dance Artists, performers, and choreographers working in Vocational Dance Schools and in the West End. All tutors have many years of experience working with young dancers to develop their technique, bring out their creativity, and further their love of movement and dance.

Faculty will be announced here in due course.

Lunch

Students must bring a packed lunch each day as this will not be provided. Snacks and drinks will be available for students during the breaks. All dietary requirements should be submitted at the time of applying.

Accommodation

Early Bird Club

Early Bird Club runs each morning (Monday – Friday) from 8.30am.

For an additional fee of up to £15.00 per day, students will be cared for by our dedicated and friendly team of chaperones and offered a choice of indoor activities. The aim is to provide an affordable, safe and stimulating environment before dance classes begin and to give parents added flexibility. Fresh fruit and milk will be provided, students are welcome to bring their own breakfast cereal, or purchase something from the onsite cafe.

Discounts

Discounts cannot be combined; only one discount option is allowed per booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

For further questions, please see our FAQs here or contact participate@rad.org.uk.

Useful information

Please ensure you check the ticket details carefully. If the ticket you wish to book appears sold out, please apply online for the ‘Waiting List’ ticket. The will contact you should a suitable place become available.

Please ensure you have read our Seasonal Courses Terms & Conditions carefully before you apply. You will need to confirm your acceptance of these terms when you register your place.

The RAD uses Cvent for ticketing and registration for events (including workshops, masterclasses, CPD, and a range of free activities). We only store your personal information in order to facilitate your attendance and to request feedback. We will not use your information to contact you unless you have opted to receive marketing materials or have signed up for our e-newsletter. For further details on how your information is processed, please see the Student Activities Privacy Notice.

Please note, in the event of injury or medical emergency during the activity a qualified First Aider from Royal Academy of Dance will provide necessary treatment and assistance to the participant. Please see our Terms & Conditions for further information on this.