Exam Board: Edexcel
Level: 1/2

Course Overview

Throughout the dance course, students are given the opportunity to study a range of dance styles and understand the key features of being part of a performance company. The styles covered in this course will range from street dance, jazz and contemporary. Students will improve their overall production and preparation skills through the process of rehearsal and performing to an audience. Students will be internally and externally assessed across the duration of the course and will have many performance opportunities.
The course aims to provide an engaging and stimulating introduction to the world of performing arts and help with valuable skills needed for any chosen career in a fun and practical environment. Students work on a range of dance skills and work towards improving their overall technique.

• Development of key skills that prove learners’ ability in performing arts, such as reproducing repertoire or responding to stimuli.

• Process that underpins effective ways of working in the performing arts, such as development of ideas, rehearsal and performance.

• Skills and techniques that are considered most important in the performing arts, including personal management and communication.

• Knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, processes and development, such as roles, responsibilities, performance disciplines and styles.

 

Assessment:

Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts. Learners will develop their understanding of the performing arts by examining practitioners’ work and the processes used to create performance. Students will need to produce a detailed portfolio as evidence. 30% of the total mark.

Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts. Learners will develop their performing arts skills and techniques through the reproduction of dance repertoire. Evidence will be through practical performance and written logbooks. 30% of the total mark.

Component 3: Performing to a Brief. Learners will be given the opportunity to work as part of a group to create a workshop performance in response to a given brief and stimulus. 40% of the total mark.

Exam Board: Edexcel
Level: 1/2

Year 12 RSL Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts (Dance)

Terms 1 and 2: Dance Technique & Performance - How can I demonstrate an understanding of the vocabulary and technique of the chosen dance style? 

Terms 3 and 4: Glocal Dance Styles - What are the background and cultural context of global styles? 

Terms 5 and 6:  Dance in the Community - How can Dance be used as a tool for support and change in the community?

Terms 1-6: Planning for a Career in the Performing Arts - What are the best methods for getting ahead in the performing arts?

 

Year 13 RSL Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts (Dance)

Terms 1 and 2: Ensemble Dance - Ensemble Dance - How do I work collaboratively to create choreography using a range of techniques, skills and devices?

Terms 3 and 4: Performance Preparation (External Unit) - How does a creator decide what to create and why?

Terms 5: Choreography - How do I use my existing knowledge in dance to create complex choreography?

 

Course Overview

The Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts provides learners with skills, knowledge and understanding for entry to employment in the creative and performing arts industries or progression to further study at a higher level. The  qualification aims to offer practical structured learning directly relevant to  employment within the creative and performing arts industries. Learners apply a range of skill, knowledge and understanding in preparation for employment/further study. For example, units provide  learners with knowledge and understanding of advanced concepts such as the style and context of performance genres, audition  techniques, planning, repertoire, rehearsal schedules, the nature of performance, collaborating with others, health and safety, technical  requirements and reviewing/analysis of performances. Learners will develop a solid grounding of practical skills that will  prepare them for employment or be developed in further studies. Core units also enable learners to make connections between units, combining elements of their learning through requiring them to demonstrate understanding and skills developed in their optional units. 

Pupils will complete seven units over the two year course;

 

Planning for a Career in the Creative and Performing Arts

Pupils will become familiarised with the processes associated with effective career planning. The unit will also provide opportunities to align/link their overarching career aims with the opportunities provided within the course.

Dance Technique and Performance

For this unit, pupils will develop skills in a selected dance style and their ability to understand, create and perform style-specific techniques and sequences. Learners will be provided with the opportunity to practically understand the challenges of developing dance technique and performance as well as understanding the background and context of a chosen dance style.

Leading Dance 

Pupils will develop their understanding and skills in leading dance activities and choreographing their own dance performances. The purpose of this unit is to provide learners with the practical understanding and skills to plan, devise and deliver dance sessions. Pupils will learn how to effectively lead a company warm up, organise company members and run practical dance class independently. Leading and teaching dance is an essential unit for preparing learners for a range of different careers within the dance sector.

Dance in the Community 

The unit will introduce pupils to the concept of community dance which will enable pupils to participate in the creation and performance of a community dance project.

Choreography

Pupils will develop their understanding of dance composition and choreographic principles and apply them to the process of creating, rehearsing and bringing to performance a dance work. It will enable pupils to further understand and apply a range of principles and approaches to choreography and how they can use dramatic effect and music to influence and inspire dance creation.

Ensemble Dance Performance

This unit aims to develop learners’ skills to dance with a group in a selected dance style and their ability to understand, create and perform style specific techniques and sequences. Pupils will be given the opportunity to practically understand the challenges of developing dance technique and performance as well as understanding the background and context of an understanding a chosen dance style.

Performance Preparation

This is an external unit where pupils will need to research dance and performing genres, use them to formulate a plan for a performance according to a brief and audition for a role. This unit will be the culmination of everything they have learnt throughout the course.

Assessment: 30% external assessment (performance and written), 70% internal assessment (performance and written).

Term 1 - 2: Component 1

• How is a professional dance work created and what skills, techniques and approaches are used by professionals to create the performance?
• What are the influences, outcomes and purpose of professional works?

Term 3 - 4: Component 1

• What are the roles, responsibilities and skills of a practitioner?

Term 5 - 6: Component 1

• What process does a choreographer take to create a professional work?
• What are the links between the processes, techniques and approaches that contribute to performance repertoire?

 

Term 1 to 3: Component 2:

• How do we demonstrate a high level of discipline in rehearsals and why is this important? 
• What are the stylistic qualities, features and influences of a professional dance work?
• What are the influences, outcomes and purposes of professional works? 

Term 1 to 6: Component 2.

• How do you demonstrate a high level of discipline in rehearsals and why is this important?
• How can you develop and apply appropriate dance skills in performance?
• How do you review your development and use this to improve your overall performance?