Students who choose to study Dance at Key Stage 4 will follow the AQA GCSE Dance course.

The areas covered in the course include:

• Component 1: Performance and choreography
• Component 2: Dance appreciation

The course enables students to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of dance as choreographer, performer and critic through:

• Applying and adapting a wide range of skills and techniques effectively in performing and choreographing dance, including the ability to improve
• Creating dances for a range of purposes and in response to different stimuli
• Developing the ability to analyse, evaluate and appreciate dance.

Students also appreciate the contribution of dance to their personal and social health, fitness and wellbeing and be aware of the range of opportunities and pathways available in dance.

Students will take part in numerous practical workshops, performances and classes and through these sessions will explore a variety of skills through the medium of contemporary dance and choreography. Students will:

• Learn set phrases as a soloist working on technical skills
• Develop the set phrases into a duet/trio performance and further enhance their performance skills
• Develop their skills of dance analysis, evaluating different professional set works and drawing their own conclusions and opinions in a critical way

The course is assessed by two controlled assessment tasks and a written examination:

• Component 1 - Performance:

Set phrases through a solo performance (approximately 1 minute) Duet/trio performance (3 ½ minutes) 30% of the final grade 40 marks (15 marks for set phrases and 25 marks for duet/trio performance)

• Component 1 - Choreography:

Solo or group choreography – a solo (2-2 ½ minutes) or a group dance for two to five dancers (3-3 ½ minutes) 30% of the final grade 40 marks Examination

• Component 2 - Examination - a 1 hour and 30 minute examination worth 40% of the final grade.

Students who study Dance can go on to gain employment in the Performing Arts sector as a dancer or dance teacher, or progress on to further education or a vocational qualification.

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