DANCE GCSE

Exam Board: AQA

Course Overview / Introduction

Dance is a powerful and expressive subject which encourages you to develop creative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacity. As part of the GCSE Dance course you will learn to perform, choreograph and analyse dance. Through the performance elements of the course you will develop your confidence and self-esteem, as well as your sensitivity to others and the ability to work as part of a group. You will develop both your technical and expressive skills as a dancer making you an adaptable performer and improving your overall fitness. As a choreographer, you will explore your ability to think creatively and problem solve, working independently and as a team to generate your own work. As a critic you will learn how to evaluate and analyse dance works, understanding how and why dance is created and reflecting upon your own processes.

What will you study?

Year 10:

• Building technical and expressive skills, learning two of the set works

• Choreographic skills and processes, analysis of performance, learning two of the set works

• Preparing for performance assessment, choreographic projects, learning two of the set works

Year 11:

• Preparing for Performance, Choreography and Dance Analysis assessments

• Assessment of Performance and Choreography

• Assessment of Dance Analysis

How many exams are there?

The course is divided into 3 areas; Performance, Choreography and Dance Appreciation. Performance and Choreography are both practical elements each worth 30% of the course (60% in total).

Dance Appreciation is worth 40% of the overall qualification and is a written exam of 1 hour 30 minutes focusing on the knowledge and understanding of the choreographic process, performance skills and critical appreciation of dance works.

What will you gain from this course?

The dance studio is open as a rehearsal space during break, lunch and after school with a wide range of extra-curricular classes to participate in and study support linked to GCSE Dance. This includes the opportunity to be part of our older Dance Companies and perform at South Hill Park for ‘Lift Off’ Dance Festival. You are encouraged to perform in the dance shows and various events at the school, as well as attend a range of theatre visits and trips throughout the year. You will take part in workshops from a range of professional external choreographers and dancers.

What does this lead to?

GCSE Dance provides a solid foundation for careers or further studies in dance, performing arts or physical vocations but also leads to a range of transferable skills such as team-work, problem solving and critical thinking that employers and higher education institutes look for.

The Dance Department is in partnership with Berkshire County Dance Company Youth (BCDCY) providing us with a range of opportunities and links to the dance industry helping to further support our students and their progression. Taking GCSE dance can lead to a vast amount of careers and it prepares you for a vast amount of pathways beyond Dance itself,

Staff Contact: 

Mrs Millard,
Head of Performing Arts