Dance

Dancers

The GCSE Dance course aims to extend knowledge, understanding and skills in dance as an art form. Throughout the course students will be developing life skills including decision making, critical and creative thinking, aesthetic sensitivity and appreciation. Using a variety of stimuli, students will develop the ability to use the body as an instrument of expression. This is achieved through Performance, Composition and Appreciation of their own works and those of others, including professional dance works.

The course includes a variety of practical assessments, written projects and a final written paper.

Why choose this subject?
• To develop understanding and appreciation of a range of dance styles.
• To develop knowledge and skills needed to perform.
• To develop and understand choreography.
• To develop life skills including decision making, creative thinking and co-operation with others.

This option will suit a student with
• confidence to perform on his / her own.
• confidence to work with others.
• appreciation of the subject.
• ability through achievement at KS3 or Private Dance Sector.
• a good level of fitness.

You will study and learn
The AQA GCSE Dance course is based on:

Performance
• good studio practice
• the technical nature of dance
• the expressive nature of dance
• factors which influence the achievement of high quality dance performance

Choreography
• the process of creating choreograph
• choreographic structure
• constituent features of dance

Appreciation
• analysis and interpretation of dances context
• the historical and social context of dances
• the set work

Assessment

Students are assessed according to the following components:

(1) Performance
a) group dance related to a prescribed professional dance work (20%)
b) of a set study (solo) (20%)

(2) Composing
You will choreograph 1 solo / duo or group dance towards the end of the course (25%)
You will choreograph 1 solo dance related to a prescribed professional dance work (15%)

(3) Dance Examination
Your knowledge, understanding and skills of appreciation will be examined in a written examination (20%)

There is an expected commitment to extra curricular learning.