At the Northamptonshire School of Dance our ballet classes follow the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus from Tiny Ballet, to Pre-Primary and Primary, to Grades 1 to 8 and the Vocationals, right up until Advanced 2, the highest level the RAD offer.
Exams and Class Awards are offered three times per year and although these are optional at our school, they are wholeheartedly encouraged, as children thrive on the sense of achievement that taking part and success can bring.
Pupils also have the unique and enriching opportunity to dance in our exciting shows which are held in Northampton, including The Nutcracker (2018) and Alice in Wonderland (2022)
We are accredited by the Royal Academy of Dance.
The benefits of ballet include:
- Strength, stamina, control and endurance
- Flexibility and range of motion
- Musicality and appreciation of different music genres
- Coordination and balance
- Good listening, co-operation and self-discipline
- Enhanced imagination and creativity
- Social skills and improved confidence
- UCAS points for university applications earned through RAD exams
- Having fun with friends!
We organise visits from dance companies and former professionals in order to broaden our pupils’ dance experiences. Past workshops have included:
- Vienna Festival Ballet Company
- Richard Alston Dance Company
- Former dancer with Hong Kong Ballet & vocational teacher from Bird College, London
- Former dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet
Pupil’s successes include:
- Junior Associates of the Royal Ballet School, Associates and Classical Ballet Academy at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and Elmhurst Associates
- Full time vocational training at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, London Contemporary Dance School, English National Ballet School and Central School of Ballet.
- National Youth Ballet of Great Britain
- English Youth Ballet
- Midland Theatre Ballet
- Milton Keynes Dance Theatre
RAD Ballet is taught by Miss Natalie and Miss Hayley.
Fees are payable in advance of each term – please contact admin@northamptonshiredance.co.uk for more information.
Ballet Uniform
We recommend that dance shoes are ordered through Northamptonshire School of Dance to ensure quality and teachers will check fittings. Pointe shoes should be professionally fitted, please contact us for recommendations.
Girls’ Uniform
- Leotard – colour and style according to the Grade
- Ballet tights or socks
- Ballet shoes
- Character shoes and skirt from Grade 1
- Crossover ballet cardigan and optional legwarmers for the winter months
- Hair in bun or pinned plaits
Boys’ Uniform
- White short sleeved leotard or slim fit t-shirt
- White ballet socks, white ballet shoes and black character shoes from Grade 1
- Navy dance shorts or stirrups
- NSD dance trousers and white long sleeved thermal vest for the winter months
The correct uniform must be worn for all lessons, as we find this helps students get into the right mindset for the class.
All uniform items, including hair accessories (nets, pins, grips), tights/socks, leotards and warm ups (crossovers, leg warmers) can be ordered by emailing your requests to: admin@northamptonshiredance.co.uk