Progressing through RAD Grades without taking exams

[champagnenadglitter]

Has anyone's DC done this? DD simply enjoys going to ballet classes and dances for enjoyment (she is currently RAD Grade 1 for ballet) however she isn't particularly interested in taking the exams but obviously wants to progress through to Grade 2 - has it held anyone's DC back in anyway by not doing the exams?

I'm a new dance mum so anyone's advice very welcome

If you can find a British Ballet Organisation accredited school they do a performance award instead. Work to the grade syllabus and when it is exam time girls who wish to do the performance award instead of the exam. They give a performance instead to the examiner. No mark is given so they don't fail but they get a badge and a certificate when the other exams come back.
We all get excited about exams and high marks. Not everyone though. Ballet can be a very very pushy hobby and should be fun.

Also, if dancing for fun not sure if RAD is the best syllabus. Really really pushy.

Sorry to disagree with Tv about the comment re the RAD syllabus being pushy. That, I'm sure, is nothing to do with the syllabus being studied, but down to individual teachers, and could probably be encountered whichever examining body they are registered with.

OP, you probably need to speak to her teacher and see what they say. Most are quite happy for their students to move up to the next level without taking the grade exams if you don't want to, some might suggest taking the RAD performance award or solo award instead (which have replaced the presentation classes in the lower grades). There is a lot of information on the RAD website.

taxi4ballet you are most likely right. Failed dancer here. Still devastates me. My achillies tendons too tight apparently. Ffs.

Tv oh what a shame - I've the same achilles thing and was rubbish at ballet. Awful turnout as well

I prefer tap these days. Haven't had a lesson since I was 5 months pg with DD. I need to get it sorted. I can't wait to get her to proper lessons.

My DDs dance school is happy to let children progress to the next class once an exam is taken by the rest of the group, even if they have not taken the actual exam. However, I can imagine that this might get rather boring if there is no final 'aim' to the endless repetition of exercises. If your DD would be happy with that approach, then you can only talk to her teacher and see if they would be happy to continue on that basis.

I encourage my DD to do the exams, but it is entirely optional at her dance school. She is naturally quite shy and I am hoping that she will get more accustomed to performing. The school also offers "class awards" for RAD (the children aren't individually marked and the exam is run like a class - the syllabus is a bit shorter).

As long as they have good enough technique they can move up with their peers. I think it must be rather dull in the run-up to exams if you aren't sitting them (or maybe it is a massive relief).

Dd enjoys working towards RAD exams. It gives her a sense of achievement. She is not at all likely to do ballet as a career, however it is an excellent focused hobby. Maybe your dd would get a similar enjoyment from the exams

I'd speak to the ballet school, there are quite a few that are happy to let children progress through the grades without taking exams.

My own DD missed an exam through illness (not RAD) and the teacher insisted on moving her up 'as she would be bored otherwise' so it does happen. DD does like doing the exams though.

My DD did grade one... and then nothing until grade seven 😂😂😂

It’s very very normal unless you are at a money grabbing dance school that want to extra money for exam practise classes.

DD skipped all that pre grade stuff too.