BALLET Exams

ATOD/RAD EXAMS 2026

This year exam registration is via Try booking ONLY:

 https://www.trybooking.com/DMXEK

Entries must be received via the above link by Saturday 27th June. 

Exciting News for 2026 – A New Chapter for Our Junior Ballet Levels

After much thought and consideration, GBT has made the decision to introduce a new syllabus for our Pre-Primary to Middle 1 students in 2026. These levels will move to the Australian Teachers of Dancing (ATOD) syllabus.

Over the past few years, our teaching team have been carefully reviewing and exploring several different syllabi as part of this decision-making process. We have spent a great deal of time researching, comparing, and considering what best supports our students’ development — not only technically, but also holistically.

As part of this process, we have also consulted with a range of health professionals, including physiotherapists and occupational therapists, as well as wellbeing-focused organisations and resources, to ensure that the direction we are taking aligns with safe, age-appropriate, and sustainable dance training practices.

One of the key reasons for this change is that, since the RAD syllabus was re-choreographed around ten years ago, many of the exercises and dances have become so complex that students often struggle to remember what comes next. This can make it difficult for them to focus on how and why they are dancing — the quality of movement, the artistry, and the joy of learning.

We want our students to have the time and space to understand, explore, and enjoy their dancing, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the volume of choreography to memorise.

The ATOD syllabus is beautifully choreographed, technically strong, and supported by specially composed music created with Australian students in mind. It thoughtfully integrates elements of theory, musicality, and mime, all designed to enhance both understanding and enjoyment in young dancers.

We’re incredibly excited about what this means for our students — not only in the short term, but also for their long-term growth and confidence. We believe this change will strengthen their technical foundation, deepen their understanding of ballet, and help them experience a genuine sense of progress and accomplishment at every level.

Students in Middle 3 (2026) and above will continue with the RAD syllabus, which remains a valuable and respected program for our more advanced levels as they build towards higher technical and artistic goals.

At this stage, the transition to the ATOD syllabus will apply only to our younger students. As they progress through the grades, they will move into the RAD vocational levels in their senior years. However, this may evolve over time — if our pilot program is successful, we may look at extending the ATOD pathway further, or offering students the opportunity to choose between syllabi (or even complete both) depending on their goals and interests.

While the RAD syllabus is well-known and respected worldwide, it’s important to remember that it is not the only — or necessarily the “best” — option. No professional ballet company or pre-professional school trains exclusively under RAD or any single syllabus, because ballet itself is universal. What truly matters is strong, consistent technical training, an age-appropriate curriculum, and an environment that allows each student to thrive without the pressure of elite-level expectations from a young age.

2026 will serve as a pilot year for this program, and we will continue to review and assess its progress throughout the year. We are confident that this move will bring a fresh and exciting energy to our junior levels and reflect GBT’s ongoing commitment to quality, growth, and the wellbeing of our students.

Finally, we are also excited to share that ATOD is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). This means that in the future, our students may have opportunities to complete nationally recognised qualifications in Dance or Dance Teaching — pathways that can even be taken in place of certain HSC units. This opens up even more possibilities for our young dancers as they continue their journey with GBT.

We can’t wait to see our dancers flourish under this new syllabus — learning, growing, and developing their love of ballet in a way that feels inspiring, achievable, and uniquely GBT.

RAD & ATOD Ballet Exams

Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) / Australian Teachers of Dance (ATOD) exams/assessments are by no means compulsory at Glenbrook Ballet Theatre, but are strongly encouraged, as they give a wonderful goal to work towards each year.

Ballet Exams are usually held in August/September each year.  Students wishing to participate must attend all set syllabus classes each week and the exam workshop during the July school holidays.

Vocational students (Pre/Senior school) may undertake an exam in May/June or in August/Sept. Students will also be asked to attend an extra week of classes and coaching at the studio or at the RAD run classes in Sydney during the school holidays preceding their exam.

Not all students will be ready at the same time to undertake an exam and the principal shall make the final decision regarding a student’s readiness to undertake an Exam or Class Award.