Dance

DANCE                                                                AQA                            8236 

Why study Dance?

Dance is a stimulating, practical, creative subject in which students develop their skills as both performer and choreographer. A range of dance styles are studied but the main focus is contemporary dance.  The course is based around the three areas of creating, performing and appraising dances.  As a performer you will develop your technical and expressive skills and perform in both solo and group pieces.  You learn about choreography in a practical and theoretical way and through studying professional dance works.  In addition you learn about dance production such as how lighting and costume inform a dance work, as well as developing skills in analysing and appraising dance.  If you are interested in a career in the arts or would simply like to develop your creative and expressive skills then this course is for you.  

Where could success in GCSE Dance lead?

GCSE Dance provides a route to further and higher education in dance, performing arts or PE, as well as vocational or professional training and community activities.  Possible career paths include: performer, choreographer, teacher, community artist, arts and events management, arts administration, theatre production, arts journalism.

How is the course organised?

You will develop your skills in all three areas through a range of practice and exam-based tasks in Year 10.  All units are completed and assessed in Year 11.

How is the course assessed?

1.                  Performance                     30%

• • Set phrases through a solo performance (1½ minutes)

  • Duet/trio performance (3½ minutes)

2.                  Choreography                   30%

• • Choreograph a solo or group dance in response to an externally set stimulus

  • Complete a choreographic log and programme note to accompany the dance

3.                  Written paper                  40%        (1½ hours)    

• • Section A: Knowledge and understanding of choreographic processes and performing skills

  • Section B: Critical appreciation of own performance and choreography

  • Section C: Critical appreciation of a range of professional dance works

What are the special features of the course?

This course is particularly suited to those who enjoy working in a practical way as 60% of the assessment is completed through practical performance and choreographic pieces.  There is also a strong link with the professional dance world; students study a range of professional dance works through practical and theory work; they participate in workshops with artists from professional dance companies and theatre trips are arranged so that students have the opportunity to see live dance productions.

How can I find out more?

See Miss McKendrick (Head of Dance) or the Dance Subject Ambassadors. Have a look at the AQA website where you will find the specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/dance/gcse/dance-8236