In December, 72 students were entered for graded ballet exams with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). We are delighted that everyone passed with impressively high marks.

The RAD exams are very demanding and each candidate, their parents and their teacher put in a lot of hard work and effort. Overall, the students gained 18 Merits and 54 Distinctions. All 19 candidates in Grades 4-8 gained a Distinction Award.

A very special congratulations to Miss Karla Brookes and Miss Paula Welsh who both received their Grade 8 Award, the final exam in the graded syllabus.

Primary ballet exam

We had 9 students sit their Primary exam - the first examinable grade in the syllabus. They did extremely well and between them gained 6 Merits and 3 Distinctions. Their exam was tinged with sadness for the staff as they are the last group ever to study and sit an exam in the 'old' Primary syllabus. However, we are excited (and a little nervous) that our first candidates for the 'new' Primary syllabus will sit their exam in February... We wish them lots of luck! (Primary candidates pictured above)

Higher Grades... outstanding results

We are proud of every one of the exam candidates but would like to highlight the outstanding marks of the Higher Grades students who have been working exceptionally hard over the past term and all gained Distinction. Six students were awarded over 90% :

Grade 5 - Megan O'Neill  91%  and  Natasha Watson  98%

Grade 6 - Hayley Fleming  91%  and  Paige Lipski  91%

Grade 7 - Alice Creanor  96%  and  Anna Fulton  91%

Happy practising for all the students sitting exams in February!