Dance

Course title: Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts –(Dance Pathway)

The Tech Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific applied knowledge and skills through realistic vocational contexts. Learners will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and technical skills in the following areas:

● development of key skills that prove their aptitude in performing arts, such as reproducing repertoire and responding to stimuli

● processes that underpin effective ways of working in the performing arts, such as development of ideas, rehearsal and performance

● attitudes that are considered most important in the performing arts, including personal management and communication

● knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, processes and attitudes in the sector, such as roles, responsibilities, performance disciplines and styles

You will have five learning sessions per two-week cycle, these will include both practical and theory content.

In each practical session you will be developing your dance skills, ability to analyse as well as broadening your individual knowledge of the subject.  As part of the course you will regularly be expected to participate in dance performances.  This includes solo work.

Theory will include research on practitioners, different works and the development of your own choreography.

There will be the opportunity to take part in workshops and trips that will extend and support the knowledge developed in the classroom.

Having a dance background is not a necessity, although you will need an interest and enthusiasm for the subject and your development within it.  You must be prepared to perform to live audiences.

The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts (Dance Pathway) is ideal for you if you would like to develop practical skills and find out more about performing arts. This course offers a practical introduction to life and work in the performing arts industry. The qualification is the same size and level as a GCSE and allows the same progression to post 16 options.

At Honywood we follow the Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts –(Dance Pathway) course. 

This course will give you the opportunity to develop knowledge and technical skills in a practical

learning environment. You will also develop key skills, such as creating performance for a real vocational scenario.

Everyone taking this qualification will study three components, covering the following content

areas:

● Exploring the Performing Arts - developing an understanding of the performing arts

including practitioners’ work and the processes used to create performance.

● Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts - development of

performing arts skills and techniques through the reproduction of dance repertoire as performers.

● Responding to a Brief - contributing to a workshop performance as either a performer

or designer in response to a given brief and stimulus.

This course is 100% coursework, no final paper exam.

The course is comprised of three components:

Components 1 and 2 are assessed through non-exam internal assessment. The non-exam internal assessment for these components has been designed to demonstrate application of the conceptual knowledge underpinning the sector through realistic tasks and activities. This style of assessment promotes deep learning through ensuring the connection between knowledge and practice.

The components focus on:

● the development of core knowledge and understanding of a range of performance/production styles, and the key features that contribute to these such as practitioners’ roles, responsibilities, skills and techniques

● the development and application of skills such as practical and interpretative, rehearsal and performance/production in dance through workshops and classes

● reflective practice through the development of skills and techniques that allow learners to respond to feedback and identify areas for improvement using relevant presentation techniques, for example a logbook.

There is one external assessment, Component 3, builds directly on Components 1 and 2 and enables learning to be brought together and related to a real-life scenario.  Component 3: Responding to a Brief requires learners to apply performances or production skills and techniques in response to a brief and stimulus, developing group workshop performance for a selected audience.

The external assessment is based on a key task that requires learners to demonstrate that they can identify and use effectively an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories and knowledge from across the whole qualification in an integrated way.

Study of the qualification as part of Key Stage 4 learning will help learners to make more informed choices for further learning, either generally or in this sector.

Post 16 progression could include:

● A Levels as preparation for entry to higher education in a range of subjects

● study of a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in Performing Arts, which prepares learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or to move on to higher education by studying a degree in the performing arts or production arts areas.

Potential career options include:

●        Teaching PE/Dance/Performing Arts and the wider performing arts business.

●        Commercial choreography such as the music and film industry.

●        The wide world of health and wellness.

Mrs Houghton, Subject Development Leader Expressive Arts (khoughton@honywoodschool.com)

Mr Philpott, Subject Leader for Expressive Arts (rphilpott@honywoodschool.com)

For course specification information, please visit the Pearson website.