Objectives:

• Develop creativity, imagination, and musicality
• Build basic movement vocabulary
• Promote coordination and confidence

Content:

• Circle dances
• Basic locomotor steps: walking, galloping, skipping, hopping
• Introduction to posture and turnout
• Simple port de bras and arm positions
• Rhythm games and storytelling dance

Pre-Primary in Dance (Age 5+)

Objectives:

• Lay foundation for ballet technique and musicality
• Encourage expressive movement and creativity

Content:

• Basic movement sequences with character and expression
• Fundamental ballet positions (feet and arms)
• Gentle stretching and strengthening
• Skipping, galloping, jumping in time with music
• Creative response to music

Primary in Dance (Age 6+)

Objectives:

• Further develop coordination, balance, and musical response
• Begin basic ballet vocabulary

Content:

• Barre not required, but centre work introduces ballet terminology
• Basic poses and directions of body
• Simple jumps (sauté, changement)
• Marches, runs, skips with dynamics
• Port de bras and basic body alignment
• Performance of set dances

Graded Examinations (Grades 1–8)

Format for Each Grade:

• Barre (from Grade 2 onwards)
• Centre Practice
• Adage
• Allegro (petit and medium)
• Character Dance (Grade 1–5)
• Free Movement (Grade 1–5)
• Performance Pieces / Dances

Grade 1 (Age 7+)

• Introduction to barre
• Battement tendu, pliés
• Skips, gallops, chassés in centre
• Character dance (Polka)
• Free movement dance

Grade 2

• Basic barre: plié, tendu, battement glissé
• Centre: retiré, balances, arabesques
• Allegro: small jetés, glissades
• Character: Waltz rhythms
• Free movement: breath and expression

Grade 3

• Extended barre: frappé, fondu
• More complex centre work
• Pirouette preparation
• Character: Mazurka
• Free movement dance

Grade 4

• Stronger emphasis on posture, turnout
• Pirouette en dehors
• Assemblé, pas de basque
• Character: Hungarian or Russian dance
• Free movement with expressive arm use

Grade 5

• Greater emphasis on strength and accuracy
• Pirouette both sides, développé
• Grand jeté prep
• Character: dances from various cultures
• Expressive choreography

Grade 6

• Emphasis on artistry and musical phrasing
• Complex pirouette sequences
• Extension of allegro vocabulary
• Contemporary feel in free movement

Grade 7

• Fluidity, mature musicality
• Use of épaulement and phrasing
• Longer, expressive danse enchaînements
• Choreographic memory

Grade 8

• Focus on performance quality and artistry
• Includes a variation-style solo
• Complex enchaînements
• Candidates often create their own solos with tutor

Vocational Graded Examinations (Pre-professional track)

Level	Age (approx.)	Focus
Intermediate Foundation	11+	Intro to vocational training, pointe work for girls
Intermediate	12+	Pointe, stronger technique, adage
Advanced Foundation	13+	Higher allegro, pirouettes
Advanced 1	14+	Strong expressive work, stamina
Advanced 2	15+	Professional-level work, high technical and artistic demands

Vocational Content (All Levels):

• Full barre and centre
• Pointe work (girls)
• Complex pirouettes and allegro
• Adage and grand allegro
• Variations from classical repertoire (in Advanced 1 & 2)

RAD Ballet Syllabus: Lesson Plan & Exam Criteria Breakdown

Pre-Ballet (Ages 3–5) – Lesson Plan & Criteria

Lesson Plan

• Warm-Up Circle Time: Greetings, posture, breathing
• Locomotor Movement: Walking on demi-pointe, gallops, skips
• Creative Movement: Animal walks, storytelling
• Music & Rhythm: Clapping, marching to the beat
• Basic Ballet Steps: First position, pliés, sautés
• Cool Down: Gentle stretching, floor play

Criteria

• Coordination and motor skills
• Musical responsiveness
• Confidence and participation

Pre-Primary in Dance – Lesson Plan & Criteria

Lesson Plan

• Warm-Up: Basic stretches
• Movement Sequences: Skips, marches, chasse
• Musical Games: Rhythmic clapping, tempo changes
• Basic Technique: Arm positions, pliés, sauté
• Expressive Tasks: Free movement to music
• Dance Story: Set sequence with props

Exam Criteria

• Movement control and coordination
• Timing and rhythm
• Expressive and creative response to music

Primary in Dance – Lesson Plan & Criteria

Lesson Plan

• Warm-Up: Joint mobility and alignment
• Technique: Basic ballet steps (plié, tendu, sauté)
• Free Movement: Flowing, expressive sequences
• Character: Marches, skips with flair
• Performance: Short dance with music

Exam Criteria

• Posture and body awareness
• Clarity of basic steps
• Musical expression
• Joy of movement

Graded Examinations in Dance (Grades 1–8)

Grade 1 – Lesson Plan

• Barre: Plié, tendu, battement glissé
• Centre: Port de bras, balance, sauté
• Allegro: Changement, echappé
• Character: Simple Polka
• Free Movement: Flowing steps

Exam Criteria

• Basic technique with control
• Accurate rhythm and timing
• Expressive use of upper body

Grade 2 – Lesson Plan

• Barre: Added battement fondu, retiré
• Centre: Arabesques, balances
• Allegro: Glissades, jeté ordinaire
• Character: Waltz step patterns
• Free Movement: Develop coordination

Exam Criteria

• Fluid execution of steps
• Controlled use of space
• Artistic dynamics

Grade 3 – Lesson Plan

• Barre: Pliés, tendu, frappé
• Centre: Simple pirouette prep
• Allegro: Pas de chat, jeté
• Character: Mazurka
• Free Movement: Breath and weight transfer

Exam Criteria

• Step clarity and purpose
• Sense of line and placement
• Expressive musical phrasing

Grade 4 – Lesson Plan

• Barre: Ronds de jambe, fondu
• Centre: Pirouette, adage
• Allegro: Assemblé, pas de basque
• Character: Russian dance
• Free Movement: Musical creativity

Exam Criteria

• Confidence and technique
• Control of alignment
• Nuanced musicality

Grade 5 – Lesson Plan

• Barre: Complex exercises, frappé, fondu
• Centre: Double pirouette prep
• Allegro: Grand jeté, saut de chat
• Character: Mixed rhythms
• Free Movement: Expressive phrasing

Exam Criteria

• Consistency in technique
• Fluid use of movement
• Character & style accuracy

Grade 6 – Lesson Plan

• Barre: Strength and precision
• Centre: Extended adagios, linking steps
• Allegro: Complex sequences
• Free Movement: Theatricality

Exam Criteria

• Technical maturity
• Movement flow and artistry
• Interpretive skills

Grade 7 – Lesson Plan

• Barre: Refined placement
• Centre: Turning combinations
• Adage: Expression and extension
• Allegro: Quick footwork

Exam Criteria

• Sophisticated musicality
• Dynamic variation
• Expressive and stylistic freedom

Grade 8 – Lesson Plan

• Barre & Centre: Professional preparation
• Performance: Solo variation-style piece

Exam Criteria

• Performance quality
• Independent artistry
• Strong technique and memory

Vocational Graded Examinations (Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2)

Intermediate Foundation – Lesson Plan

• Barre: Full classical set
• Centre: Pirouette prep, allegro
• Girls: Intro to pointe work

Criteria

• Secure placement
• Clean execution
• Musical awareness

Intermediate – Lesson Plan

• Barre: Advanced combinations
• Centre: Enchaînements, pirouettes
• Pointe Work: Relevés, echappés

Criteria

• Strength and stability
• Coordination of arms and legs
• Confident expression

Advanced Foundation – Lesson Plan

• Complex Barre & Centre
• Adage, Pirouettes, Allegro
• Girls: Full pointe class

Criteria

• Classical lines and turnout
• Variations performance ability
• Precision in technique

Advanced 1 – Lesson Plan

• Technical Complexity
• Performance Skills: Set solos

Criteria

• Expressive detail
• Command of phrasing
• Refined presentation

Advanced 2 – Lesson Plan

• Professional-Level Training
• Solo Repertoire

Criteria

• Virtuosic technique
• Stage presence
• Consistent artistry