Dance

KS3 Dance gives all Year 7,8 and 9 students the opportunity to build their skills as a confident and creative individual.

What are the key features of the programmes of study?
The Dance course allows students to work collaboratively and creatively to develop the key dance skills of choreography, performance and appreciation. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own performance and evaluate the work of their peers.

What will my child study in Dance lessons?
Students will begin to explore the principles of choreography and performance, developing their technical and performance skills and laying a strong foundation for the GCSE Dance course. Students will begin to develop analytical skills, through the study of professional works and key dance practitioners. They will be able to engage in dance from different cultures and genres and develop the physical skills of balance, coordination and control as well as improving their overall fitness.

In Year 9, students who opt to study Dance will spend three hours per fortnight in dance lessons. This will give them an insight into the GCSE Dance course and the opportunity to work on more challenging choreography including contact work. Students will study a variety of dance styles including Capoeira, Hip Hop and Contemporary.

What homework and enrichment opportunities will my child have?
Homework is set to enhance learning and students will be encouraged to fuel their own interest in dance through independent research, viewings of professional works and independent rehearsal time. Students will be encouraged to attend extra-curricular dance clubs and attend a number of dance performances throughout the year. They will also have the opportunity to perform in the Christmas and Summer Concerts, as well as performances in professional venues. Our main dance event of the year is Rock Challenge, which provides the opportunity for over 100 students to get involved in a wider community team event.

How is my child assessed?
Assessment is carried out regularly using assessment criteria linked to the GCSE Dance specification. Assessment will occur in both choreographic and performance tasks.

How are the groups organised?
Dance will be taught in mixed ability groups.

What equipment is needed?
Students must wear their PE kit for every lesson even if they are not actively participating (please see Uniform Guidelines).  Students must remove socks and jewellery for health and safety reasons and long hair must be tied back. Students may wear appropriate black sports leggings for class if they wish to do so.

At Key Stage 4 students will learn analytical skills through observation and feedback as they develop their performance quality and leadership in choreography. Performance showcases happen throughout this time allowing knowledge and understanding to grow and improve.

GCSE Dance is a popular option for students. We nurture the choreographic and performance talent of these Dancers providing them with the skills to further their training in this if it is something they desire.

GCSE DANCE                                                                                               
Examination Board: AQA    Course Number:  8236

Dance is a powerful and expressive subject, which encourages students to develop their creative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacity, whatever their previous experience in the subject.                               

What is the course about?
The students will study the skills of composition, performance and appreciation through a range of dance styles.  Technical and expressive skills will be a key focus and students will study a range of professional works, with six studied on the new anthology including established and emerging choreography. The new GCSE teaching specification has a practical emphasis of 60%, enabling candidates to actively and physically demonstrate their knowledge of dance practice.

 What skills and ideas will I learn?
Development of skills in performance within dance, development of composition skills within dance, development of an imaginative, sensitive and creative approach towards dance practice, development of independent learning as well as an understanding of collaborative work. 

How is the course assessed?
Coursework Assessment:  60%
Examination: 40%
Component 1: Performance and Choreography 60%

Performance of Set Phrases
Duet/trio Performance
Group Choreography
Component 2: Dance Appreciation 40%                                           

Knowledge and understanding of choreographic processes and performing skills
Critical appreciation of own work
Critical appreciation of professional works

What will the course allow me to progress to in the future?

The GCSE provides an ideal basis for A-Level Dance and Performing Arts or Theatre Studies. Students can pursue the subject at a higher level in the fields of performance, choreography, journalism and stage management, which could lead to careers in professional dance, dance administration, dance teaching, dance theory and dance research and development.

Students will be encouraged to attend extra-curricular dance clubs and attend a number of dance performances throughout the year. They will also have the opportunity to perform in the Christmas and Summer Concerts, as well as performances in professional venues. Our main dance event of the year is Dance Live, which provides the opportunity for over 100 students to get involved in a wider community team event.