Dance

Dance is a subject that encourages students to work with others; developing communication skills and the ability to work in a group. It can also play a major role in the development of the whole child.

It helps to develop confidence, memory, creativity and initiative. These are skills that are useful in all kinds of jobs; in fact, they are life skills! Added to all of this, it teaches you about looking after yourself and keeping fit.

The dance department aims to provide students with challenging and creative activities that develop the above skills within a lively, enthusiastic environment. Students are encouraged to reach their full potential and beyond!

We are committed to providing all students with a range of opportunities that will develop their creativity and build their interest in the performing arts. We strive to offer our students challenging and up-to-date lessons as well as plenty of performance opportunities in front of live audiences.

In key stage 3 students develop an understanding of how they can move their body and basic choreography. They develop their movement memory and work on good dance techniques. Students develop confidence when working with others by ensuring they contribute their ideas and listen to others. They will be taught set motifs to develop and will have the opportunity to be creative and choreograph their own dances. Students will perform to others and will receive regular feedback about how to become better performers. Students will develop an understanding of the different styles of dance and will study different choreographers.

In Key Stage 4 students are invited to advance upon processes introduced at key stage 3 to develop their confidence, performance skills and creativity. Students study Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts (Dance).. This is a predominantly practical course and assessment is based around practical and/or technical skills and knowledge applicable to roles in the performing arts industry.

We also encourage our students to participate in dance during their lunchtimes and after school and we offer numerous clubs throughout the academic year in which they can do that.

Curriculum information

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Year 7

Developing style and rhythm

It is important that students get to understand the building bricks of dance. Students will explore these through theory and practical tasks to show creativity and confidence through different dance styles.

Introduction to partner work & choreography

This unit encourages students to develop their own choreography skills. They will work with a partner to develop relationships in dance. This unit is taught through practical tasks and evaluation of performances

Control and co-ordination

This unit encourages students to develop control and coordination. This unit is taught through practical tasks and evaluation of performances

Year 8

Cultural Dance

This unit opens students up to world dance and focuses on cultural capital. Students are encouraged to develop stylistic features in their dance.

Fit to Dance

It is important that students understand the physical requirements for a dancer. This unit focuses on developing knowledge about the different physical attributes required for different dance styles. Students test their own fitness using a variety of different exercises and complete activities to improve targeted areas.

ASDR An introduction

This unit introduces students to Action, Space, Dynamics and Relationships and builds on their choreography skills. Students increase their knowledge about ASDR through practical tasks and apply this to creating dances.

Year 9

Dancing through the Decades

This unit looks at how dance styles have changed throughout the decades and the cultural influences. Students study each decade looking specifically at the main style of dance within that decade eg 1950s – Rock ‘n’ Roll. They learn practical skills within the style and a routine combining these skills. They go on to choreograph their own part of a dance or longer sequences within each style.

Musical Theatre

During this unit, students will learn about dance within live theatre and film. It allows students to witness performances they may not get the opportunity to outside of school. Studying musicals allows students to broaden their knowledge of dance styles previously studied.

Students use their newly-acquired choreography skills to create themed work. Students also apply technical and physical dance techniques.

ASDR Advanced

This unit builds on the skills developed in Year 8. Students look at how different choreographers use ASDR in their work and create dances using these techniques.

Year 10

Technical dance skills

This unit prepares students for the controlled assessment task for Unit 229 Ensemble Dance

Unit 229 Ensemble Dance

This is an internally assessed unit that is moderated by RSL. It aims to develop students' skills in a selected dance style and improve their ability to reproduce and perform technical movements with a group and develop and perform a style-specific sequence. The purpose is to enable the development of dance technique and performance and an understanding of a dance style.

Unit 229 Ensemble Dance

Year 11

Practice for 201 Live Performance unit

The aim of this unit is to give learners the opportunity to explore all the skills required for a live performance before completing the externally assessed unit.

Unit 201 Live Performance

This is an externally assessed unit. The aim of this unit is to give learners the opportunity to explore all the skills required for a live performance. These range from planning, creating, rehearsing and the performance itself to the reflection required post-performance to ensure continual developments as performers. By undergoing the process of preparing for a live performance, learners will have the opportunity to experience the variety of activities and skills required to bring a performance together.

I thoroughly recommend joining dance performance group after school, it’s a great way of mixing within a group and keeping fit it also develops confidence and creativity by performing at events.

Year 10 student

I enjoy dance lessons because I find it helps with keeping me fit and using my own initiative and it boosts my confidence and gives me pride in myself.

Year 11 student