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 different professionals' works in a variety of dance styles.

Students will learn about 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.
• Look at the costumes, lighting, set/props and aural setting used within the six professional works. 

60% of the course is assessed by controlled assessment and this is split into two components; Performance and Choreography:

• 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)

• 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

The remaining 40% is assessed via a 1 hour 30 minute written examination, focused on the following areas:

• Section A: Knowledge and understanding of choreographic processes and performing skills. 
• Section B: Critical appreciation of their own work. 
• Section C: Critical appreciation of professional works (the six professional works are: Within Her Eyes, A Linha Curva, Emancipation of Expressionism, Infra, Artificial Things and Shadows)

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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