The Exam Landscape for UK Dance Schools

Examinations are the backbone of structured dance education in the United Kingdom. They provide a framework for progression, a measure of achievement, and a strong motivator for pupils and parents alike. But for school owners, managing exams across multiple boards is an administrative marathon that starts months before the examiner walks through the door.

The three dominant examination boards for dance in the UK are the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), and the International Dance Teachers' Association (IDTA). Each has its own syllabus structure, fee schedule, entry process, and grading criteria. Many schools are registered with two or even all three boards, which means running parallel systems unless you have a way to unify your tracking.

This guide explains the practical differences between these boards and lays out a system for managing entries, fees, accompanists, results, and certificates across all of them.

Understanding the Three Major Exam Boards

Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)

The RAD is the world's largest dance education and training organisation, with a focus primarily on classical ballet. Its graded examination syllabus runs from Pre-Primary in Dance and Primary in Dance through to Grade 8, with vocational grading from Intermediate Foundation to Solo Seal. RAD exams are assessed by visiting examiners, and results are issued as Distinction, Merit, Pass, or Unclassified.

RAD exam entries are managed through the RAD Exams Portal, and fees are set annually. As of recent sessions, graded exam fees range from approximately twenty pounds for Pre-Primary to over fifty pounds for Grade 8, with vocational exams costing significantly more. Schools must be RAD-registered, and teachers must hold RAD teaching qualifications to enter candidates.

Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD)

The ISTD covers a broader range of disciplines than the RAD, offering examinations in Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre Dance, Tap Dance, National Dance, and several other genres. Each discipline has its own graded and vocational syllabus. The graded structure typically runs from Grade 1 to Grade 6, with vocational grades above that level.

ISTD exams are entered through the ISTD Members' Area online portal. The fee structure varies by discipline and level. Teachers must be ISTD members with the appropriate teaching qualifications for each discipline they enter candidates in. One advantage of the ISTD for multi-discipline schools is that a single board can cover ballet, tap, and modern exams, reducing the number of administrative systems you need to manage.

International Dance Teachers' Association (IDTA)

The IDTA offers examinations across a wide range of styles including Theatre Dance, Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Street Dance, Freestyle, and Acrobatic Arts. The grading structure varies by discipline but typically runs through numbered grades and medal levels. The IDTA is particularly popular for its freestyle and street dance examinations, which are not covered by RAD or ISTD.

IDTA exam entries are submitted to area organisers, and the administrative process can feel less centralised than RAD or ISTD. Fees tend to be slightly lower than the other boards, making the IDTA popular with schools that enter large numbers of candidates. Teachers need IDTA membership and appropriate qualifications.

Entry Fee Management

Collecting Fees from Parents

Exam fees are a perennial source of administrative headaches. You need to collect the correct fee from every parent, for every child, for every exam entry, across potentially three different boards with different fee schedules. Late payments delay entries. Incorrect payments require chasing. And parents often do not understand why exam fees vary between their children's different classes.

The most effective approach is to invoice exam fees as a separate, clearly labelled charge at the point of entry confirmation. Provide parents with a breakdown showing the board, the discipline, the grade level, and the fee. Set a clear deadline for payment and make it a firm rule that entries are not submitted until fees are received. This protects you from having to absorb fees for families who withdraw at the last minute.

Accompanist Booking and Costs

RAD and ISTD ballet exams typically require a live pianist, known as an accompanist. Booking an accompanist adds cost and scheduling complexity. Accompanists need to know the syllabus, the number of candidates, and the exam schedule to prepare appropriately. Many schools pass the accompanist cost on to parents as part of the exam fee, while others absorb it as a business cost.

Book your accompanist as early as possible. Experienced dance accompanists are in high demand during exam season, and leaving it late may mean settling for someone less familiar with the syllabus. Confirm the repertoire, the schedule, and the fee in writing.

Result Recording and Certificate Distribution

Recording Results Systematically

When results arrive, they need to be recorded against each pupil's record promptly and accurately. For each exam result, record the board, the discipline, the grade, the result (Distinction, Merit, Pass, or Unclassified), the date of the exam, and the examiner's number if available. This data is valuable for tracking progression, identifying trends, and reporting to parents.

If you use AMES, results can be recorded directly against each pupil's profile, building a complete examination history that travels with the pupil throughout their time at your school. This is far more reliable than paper records or spreadsheets, and it means you can generate reports showing, for example, how many pupils achieved Distinction at each grade level, or which disciplines have the highest pass rates.

Certificate Distribution

Certificates arrive from the examination boards several weeks after results are issued. When they arrive, cross-reference them against your results records to ensure every certificate matches the correct pupil and result. Certificates should be distributed in a way that celebrates the achievement. Many schools hold a presentation evening once or twice a year where certificates are awarded formally. Others distribute them in class with a round of applause. Whichever approach you choose, make sure every certificate reaches the right pupil and that parents are informed.

Keep a record of certificate distribution. It is surprisingly common for certificates to go missing, and being able to confirm whether a certificate was collected or posted saves time and avoids disputes.

Building a Unified Tracking System

Centralising Multi-Board Data

The challenge for schools registered with multiple boards is maintaining a single, coherent view of each pupil's examination history across all of them. A pupil might hold RAD ballet grades, ISTD tap grades, and IDTA street dance medals. If these are tracked in three separate systems, it is very difficult to see the complete picture.

Centralise your exam tracking in a single system that can handle multiple boards and disciplines. Record the board name and discipline alongside every grade entry so you can filter and report by any dimension. This also makes it easy to identify pupils who are ready to enter their next exam, because you can see at a glance which grade they last passed and when.

Key Takeaways

Understand the structural differences between RAD, ISTD, and IDTA, including fee schedules, entry portals, and syllabus structures.
Invoice exam fees as separate, clearly labelled charges and require payment before submitting entries to examination boards.
Book accompanists for ballet exams early, as experienced dance pianists are in high demand during exam season.
Record every exam result against the pupil's profile with the board, discipline, grade, result, and date.
Cross-reference certificates against results records when they arrive and track distribution to ensure nothing goes missing.
Centralise exam tracking across all boards in a single system to maintain a complete view of each pupil's progression.
Use exam data to identify trends, such as pass rates by discipline or the proportion of Distinction results at each level.
Communicate results and certificate collection arrangements clearly to parents through your standard communication channel.