Jade Harrison School of Dance offers friendly and professional dance classes across a variety of disciplines and offers exams in dance for those students who wish to take them.
Our Dance School currently offers examinations from two exam boards.
- The Royal Acadamy of Dance (RAD)
- Acrobatic Arts
The Royal Acadamy of Dance (RAD)
The RAD is one of the world’s most influential dance education organisations. Our exams set standards in classical ballet worldwide and we are a global leader in dance education and Continuing Professional Development for dance.
The RAD has also aligned itself to the national framework of qualifications so credit can be given accordingly to student who complete examinations with them. This also includes UCAS points, meaning that grades awarded by RAD can be used as contributing to a students points tarrif when applying to University.
Acrobatic Arts Examinations
The Acrobatic Arts examination process is designed to motivate dancers. Dancers work through twelve exam levels, each designed to create a well balanced acrobat, including elements of flexibility, strength, balance, limbering and tumbling.
Acrobatic Arts Certified Examiners evaluate dancers against a set universal standard, allowing dancers and teachers to see where the dancer stands globally. The exam will be graded ‘Superior’, ‘Excellent’, ‘Highly Commended’, ‘Commended’, ‘Pass’, or ‘Retry’. Students who receive a grade of ‘Superior’ will also receive a custom Acrobatic Arts medal.
RAD Qualification Framework
Below is an overview of the qualifications framework from the RAD. For more information please contact us for advice.
The National framework places dance examinations within the context of other qualifications. It recognises equivalence in the levels of knowledge, skills and understanding required for their attainment, however dance examinations are not interchangeable with the corresponding national school examinations
| Level of Qualification | General Qualifications | Graded Examinations in Dance | Vocational Graded Examinations in Dance | Occupational Qualifications | |
| 5 | Higher Degree | Level 5 NVQ | |||
| 4 | Degree | Level 4 NVQ | |||
| 3 | Advanced | GCE A/AS Level |
Grade 8 Award, Grade 7, Grade 6 |
Advanced 2, Advanced 1, Advanced Foundation | Level 3 NVQ |
| 2 | Intermediate | GCSE Grades A* – C | Grade 5, Grade 4 | Intermediate, Intermediate Foundation | Level 2 NVQ |
| 1 | Foundation | GCSE Grades D – G | Grade 3, Grade 2, Grade 1 | Level 1 NVQ |
We are extremely proud of our 100% Pass rate the majority of our students gaining Merit or Distinction.
