Dance

“I feel that the essence of dance is the expression of man--the landscape of his soul. I hope that every dance I do reveals something of myself or some wonderful thing a human can be.” Martha Graham

PHILOSOPHY AND VISION

“Dance is both finding yourself and losing yourself at the same time”

Since the dawn of time Dance has been used as the cornerstone for expression of thoughts, meaning, behaviour and emotion. Dance allows students the opportunity to explore their well being as well as promoting healthy choices and fitness.

Dance provides students with the qualities needed to be highly successful in all areas of life. Students develop resilience, creativity, teamwork, confidence, critical thinking, self-discipline, physical health and the ability to work both collaboratively and independently. All of which are beneficial skills and qualities required in any career path and quality of life. It allows students the opportunity to explore their well being, both physical and mental, as well as promoting healthy choices and fitness.

Dance provides an opportunity to engage with an abundance of social, political and cultural themes, discovering works of established practitioners and utilising the professional skills to hone their own to create inspiring and unique choreographies and performances that touch the very fibre of being a human being.

The Dance department is a place where you can dance for fun, fitness or expression. It is a place where students are supported to explore what type of artist they want to be. Students are incredibly supportive of one another and enable each other to grow in confidence as well as ability.

Dance is both finding yourself and losing yourself at the same time

Dance Curriculum Map - Key Stage 3

Year 7

Development of knowledge of styles through performance and choreography

Exploring dance styles including the cultures and backgrounds of Hip Hop, Rock n Roll and Bollywood. Dance terminology is introduced through practical aspects of action, space and dynamics. Performance skills are developed through the exploration of styles focusing on posture, extension and projection. Organisation and communication skills are enhanced through tasks of designing and leading warm ups, ensuring health and safety protocols are met. In addition problem solving skills are consistently developed through choreographic tasks and evaluation of performances.

Year 8

Development of choreographic, performance, analytical and evaluative skills

Students study contemporary, musical theatre and street dance exploring features of the style and their associated action, space, dynamics and relationships. Dance is choreographed in a specific style including the use of dance relationships, enhancing students communication and problem solving skills. Performance skills are developed with a focus on alignment, extension and projection when performing before an audience as a group.

Year 9

Development of choreographic, performance, analytical & evaluative skills

Exploring dance techniques and skills through technical warm ups and taught phrases in a range of styles to develop skills including; alignment, coordination, extension, control, balance and flexibility. Exploring the choreographic process, using various stimuli and creative techniques to produce own performance work. Professional choreographers and repertoire are analysed for inspiration and to increase the depth of understanding of the art form.

Dance Curriculum Map - Key Stage 4

Year 10

Component one: Develop knowledge of professional practitioners and their creative processes. Analyse, in depth one professional work through theoretical study and practical investigation generating a detailed report on the findings.

Component two: Through guided rehearsal professional repertoire is practically learnt and performed for assessment. During rehearsal skills relevant to the professional repertoire are developed. Performances are evaluated in detail to reflect on the learning process.

Component Three: Choreographic and performance skills and knowledge of professional practitioners and dance styles are developed to prepare for the external assessment in year 11.

Year 11

Component Three: Using prior knowledge of practitioners, styles, choreographic processes and skills studied in years 9 and 10 students devise and create their own exam piece in response to a set scenario and theme. Researching, writing and documenting the rehearsal process and evaluating the final product through written milestone entries form a significant part of the external assessment . Teamwork, independence, problem solving and communication skills are all required to complete the assessment successfully.