Our Curriculum

Dance

Subject Leader: Mrs S Rowe

If you wish to learn more about our curriculum please contact the Subject Lead by clicking on their name above.

Key Stage 4

BTEC TECH Award in Performing Arts: Dance

Exam Board: Edexcel
Level: 1/2

Course Overview

Throughout the dance course pupils 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. Pupils will improve their overall production and preparation skills through the process of rehearsal and performing to an audience. Pupils 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. Pupils 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 stimulus.

  • 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.
     

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. Pupils 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.

 

Key Stage 5

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

Exam Board: RSL
Level of Qualification: 3

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 skills, 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. 

Global Dance Styles
Pupils will develop their understanding and skills in the background, culture and the dance requirements of a chosen global dance style, as well as the ritual and meaning behind this. The unit will provide learners with the skills to take part in a traditional dance which comes from a culture different from their own, while gaining an understanding of the culture that it is from.
 
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).

 

Curriculum Content

Year 10 BTEC TECH Award

Term 1 to 6: Component 1

  • What are the influences, outcomes and purpose of professional works?
  • What are the roles, responsibilities and skills of a practitioner?
  • What are the links between the processes, techniques and approaches that contribute to performance repertoire?

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?
     

Year 11 BTEC TECH Award

Term 1 to 3: Preparation for Component 3

Term 4 to 6: Component 3

  • How do you respond and develop ideas from a given brief?
  • What skills and techniques are appropriate to use in response to your given brief?
  • How do you effectively evaluate the creative process and final performance?

 

Useful Information

Dance clubs

  • Year 7 and 8 Dance Fusion (Juniors) - Monday after school

  • Year 8 and 9 Dance Fusion (Seniors) - Wednesday after school

  • Year 10 BTEC catch up club - Tuesday after school

  • Year 11 BTEC OSL - Friday after school

Out of School Learning (OSL) and Extra-Curricular Activities

  • BTEC catch up sessions, school production, Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Dance Clubs.

  • Trips to see live performances.

  • Trip to take part in professional dance workshops (Move It exhibition and Pineapple dance studios)

  • Trip to Disneyland, Paris 

  • Dance workshops with professional dancer (Jasmine Vardimon Dance Company)

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