Dance

Curriculum Vision

We believe our students deserve a broad and ambitious Dance curriculum, rich in opportunities to participate in live performances. Our shows create lifelong memories for the dancers and their families.

The curriculum encourages students to develop technical and creative skills in a range of styles. Inspired by the context of our community and beyond, students study Contemporary, Kathak, Jazz, Street Dance, Ballroom, Latin, and Musical Theatre. Our curriculum is aspirational and facilitates progression onto prestigious courses at the end of Year 13.

Students gain an appreciation of their own work and that of others, through theatre visits and regular peer performances. We build confidence to form opinions and make connections between content and context. Instilling values within the curriculum, such as respect and empathy, ensures that students can thrive when working collaboratively and when given opportunities for leadership. Our curriculum fosters strong connections and builds a community of dancers who support each other to reach their full potential.

Curriculum Intent

Our Dance curriculum is designed to inspire students to develop practical and intellectual curiosity. We aim to empower students to express themselves, encouraging personal storytelling and artistic innovation.

The curriculum nurtures cultural understanding, exposing students to a wide variety of styles and contexts that reflect historical, social and political influences.  Through critical analysis and evaluation of professional works and peer performances, students develop the ability to reflect thoughtfully.  Students can use dance terminology to articulate their insights, support both their own growth and that of their peers. 

Collaboration and confidence are at the heart of the learning experience, as students work together, develop leadership skills and learn resilience by taking creative risks and taking feedback.  Our carefully sequenced curriculum ensures clear progression, preparing students for advanced study, performance opportunities and potential careers in the arts.  Above all, we value dance as a powerful means for emotional expression and wellbeing, providing students with a supportive space to grow personally and creatively. 

Dance is vital, an activity both exhilarating and liberating to watch or do. The instinct to dance is fundamentally joyous and no matter how hard you try you can’t get away from that for long. It can also be a huge force for good, effectively drawing people together and levelling everyone through sheer hard work. It can speed up your heart rate, it can enliven your being, it can change your life.

Richard Alston CBE, Dance UK


A video introduction to our Dance course in LPGS6 (our co-educational Sixth Form)

 

 

 

 

Years 7 & 8

Students in Years 7 and 8 will have the opportunity to engage a two weekly programme of Dance, which is in addition to their PE lessons.

Dance Clubs range from Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theatre and creative choreography.

Safe Studio Practice

This area of study will introduce students to the importance of developing their technical abilities and overall physical abilities, not just as dancers but benefiting future lifelong health. Students will develop an understanding of the benefits of leading a healthy life style, and develop and engage the whole body in Physical activity. Safe studio practice will enable students to create specialist warm up routines, develop strength, flexibility and stamina and increase co-ordination, self-esteem and confidence.

Dance Appreciation

Students will be introduced to the history of dance and explore how the styles of dance’s have evolved over the years. Students will have the opportunity of participating in Ballet, African, Contemporary, Jazz and Musical Theatre, and Street Dance.

Choreography Process and Craft

Students will develop understanding of how to create a routine; they will be guided through the process of choreography and given the opportunity to be creative, imaginative and responsive to developing their own routines. The students will base their choreography’s on the professional work they are studying.

Performance

All students will be working towards a final performance, where they will be assessed on their developments. The performance will take place at the school’s annual dance production called ‘One Night Only’ in March.

 

Year 9

Students in Year 9 will have weekly Dance lessons in addition to the opportunity to select different pathways within their PE lesson, and Dance is one of these pathways. This means that those who enjoy Dance and hope to pursue it at GCSE have lots of opportunities to challenge and extend their skills. We focus on contemporary technique but also bring variety to our classes through Contemporary, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Latin influenced technique classes.

The Dance classes will be taught by specialist Dance teachers and will focus on the following aspects:

Safe Studio Practice

This area of study will introduce students to the importance of developing their technical abilities and overall physical abilities, not just as dancers but benefiting future lifelong health. Students will develop an understanding of the benefits of leading a healthy life style, and develop and engage the whole body in physical activity. Safe studio practice will enable students to create specialist warm up routines, develop strength, flexibility and stamina and increase co-ordination, self-esteem and confidence.

Dance Appreciation

Students will use professional dance work, which are studied at GCSE to help them develop performance and choreography ideas.

Choreography Process and Craft

Students will develop understanding of how to create a routine; they will be guided through the process of choreography and given the opportunity to be creative, imaginative and responsive to developing their own routines. The students will base their choreographies on the professional work they are studying. Students will work towards various performance opportunities, such as the return of our exciting annual dance show Mix Tape Volume 5.

Course Description:

Dance is a powerful and expressive subject, which encourages students to develop their creative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacity; it will promote a healthy lifestyle, teamwork and actively engage students to develop as effective and independent learners.


This course recognises the role of dance in young people’s lives and students will not only study the concepts of dance but will also engage with historical and cultural context and develop analytical and evaluative skills.

Students will study a dance anthology of six professional works that will develop their ability to critically appraise dances of different styles and provides a springboard for their own choreography.

Specification Elements:

1: Performance

Students must develop and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills required to perform a dance as a soloist and in a duet/trio. Students will need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of performing skills by responding to short answer questions in the written exam.

2: Choreography

Students must learn how to respond creatively to an externally set stimulus, to choreograph their own complete dance for a soloist or a group.

3: Dance Appreciation

Students must be able to use written communication, using appropriate terminology, to critically appreciate their own work and the professional set works in the GCSE Dance anthology.

Assessments:

Practical 60%
Theory 40%
Students must complete both assessment components.

 

Course Description:

A-Level Dance is a dynamic qualification which encourages students to develop their creative and intellectual capacity, alongside transferable skills such as; teamwork, communication and problem solving. This specification reflects both historical and current dance practices and inspires a lifelong passion and appreciation for dance. A wide range of contemporary dance techniques will be studied, including Graham, Cunningham and Release. Choreography examination tasks are set to encourage student exploration of a vast array of topics and promote the skills of research and development in order to create imaginative and engaging works. Topics covered include the historical study of Rambert, the iconic work Rooster by Christopher Bruce, the Independent Contemporary British Dance Scene and work by Matthew Bourne and Akram Khan, as well as the opportunity to perform Ballet or Jazz.

Skills Required:

The course demands a high level of commitment, concentration and sensitivity. You need to be able to evaluate and appreciate professional work.

Method of Assessment:

Component 1: 50% practical (quartet performance, choreography performance & solo performance).

Component 2: 50% written (2 hours 30 minutes: Rambert Dance Company and two set works).

Progression:

Many of our students are successful graduates on Dance degree courses at universities such as Trinity Laban. As well as choreography and teaching, this course could lead to such diverse careers as physiotherapy, nursing and journalism.