Shakespeare Messenger Award

This document sets out the terms and conditions between the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (“RADA”) and any individuals participating in the RADA Shakespeare Awards (“Awards”). You should read these terms and conditions carefully as it contains important information. These terms become binding on you when RADA receives your application for assessment under the Awards. These terms and conditions are binding as and when RADA receives your application for assessment under any level of the Awards. As part of your contract you agree to be bound by these terms, including the Regulations for the conduct of the Award listed below. Where the Awards are taking place at a host centre, you have a right to expect that the room will be suitable for purpose, with adequate space for movement and appropriate lighting, in accordance with RADA’s regulations. If suitable space is not provided, then this is a matter between you and the host venue and RADA will not be held liable for the host venue’s failure to provide you with appropriate space for assessment. RADA will provide assessors who meet its requirements for delivering the Awards and will provide assessment, feedback and tuition with reasonable care and skill. RADA may, on occasion, be compelled to change syllabus material, but it will not do so for individuals already booked for assessments. The result of the Assessment will be provided within two weeks. The Assessor’s decision is final and RADA will only consider an appeal (in accordance with the Award regulations) if the proper process has not been followed, not on the grounds of the Assessor’s professional judgment of your performance. RADA may from time to time revise the terms and conditions of the contract including the rules and regulations referred to in these terms and conditions in the following circumstances:

• 6.1 where RADA reasonably considers this to be necessary for the enhancement of its provision in the best interests of participants.
• 6.2 in circumstances which are caused by matters outside our control; and/or
• 6.3 in circumstances which reflect changes in relevant laws.

All Award fees must be paid in full prior to any scheduled assessment. If fees have not been received at least 14 days prior to the assessment, it will not take place, but you may still be liable for costs associated with the assessment. Fees paid for Workshops and Assessments are non-refundable as a result of cancellation (subject to the provisions of clause 9 below). You have the right to cancel this contract under the Consumer Contract (Information, Cancellation and Additional Payments) Regulations 2013 within 14 days without giving any reason. The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day of the conclusion of this contract.10.1 The contract is governed by English law and subject to the jurisdiction of the English courts. However, if you are a resident of Northern Ireland you may also bring proceedings in Northern Ireland; if you are a resident of Scotland, you may also bring proceedings in Scotland; and, if you are a resident of any country in the EU, you may also bring proceedings in that country which is your national country.

RADA Awards: Regulations
These regulations apply to all candidates taking RADA Shakespeare Awards and any Centres offering the Awards. The RADA Shakespeare Awards are progressive and candidates must follow them in order. There is no limit on the number of times an individual candidate may take each level of Award, including repeating passed levels. Candidates must arrive on time for their Award assessment. Failure to arrive at the appropriate time, may lead to the assessment being cancelled, and the candidate will still be liable for the Award fees. Where the Awards take place outside of RADA’s premises, the Centre hosting the Award must provide an appropriate rehearsal space. This must include adequate space for movement (including a suitable flooring), sufficient lighting for both practical work and for the Assessor to produce written notes, a table and chair, and water for the Assessor and candidates. Candidates should be suitably dressed for the assessment: wearing comfortable clothes and shoes, suitable for the practical style of the Award assessment, and which give the candidate freedom to move and breathe without restriction. Though candidates may wear items that help them to “feel” their way into character, there should be no attempt at literal costuming. RADA expects candidates to behave towards the Assessor in a polite and respectful manner. Threatening or abusive behaviour will lead to the Assessment being terminated and no refund will be made. Right of Appeal: unsuccessful candidates may only appeal against the outcome of an Assessment if they believe that:

• 6.1 the candidate’s performance was affected through extenuating circumstances that could not have been reasonably reported at the time of Assessment.
• 6.2 The Assessment was not conducted in accordance with the prescribed guidance.

Appeals against the decision of an Assessor should be made, in writing to the Director of Short Courses at awards@rada.ac.uk within fourteen days of the date of the assessment. The appeal will be investigated by a member of the Awards team not connected to the delivery of that particular Award or Assessment and the result communicated to the candidate. The Academy’s decision in relation to this appeal will be final and there is no further right of appeal.

Further information for Candidates

RADA welcomes applications for Awards from people of all backgrounds. RADA welcomes applications from candidates of all abilities and, to enable the provision of additional support as appropriate, encourages applicants to disclose relevant information regarding any disability when completing their application form, in order to ensure they have everything needed to get the most out of their Award assessment and experience. Dyslexic applicants must submit a full report from a chartered educational psychologist with their application. Candidates should note that the RADA Awards are a developmental teaching tool stemming from the Academy’s decades of offering drama training and not a formal qualification regulated by Ofqual. The Awards are not offered by RADA as preparation for or a requirement of entry to its full-time acting programmes: obtaining a RADA Award is in no way a qualification for RADA’s 3-year acting degree course, as the processes of assessment are entirely unrelated; and admission to RADA’s Foundation Course in Acting and BA (Hons) Acting is by audition.