GCSE Dance

GCSE Dance

Contact Information: Mrs E Wheater

Course Content

The course is split into two components, Performance & Choreography and Dance Appreciation

Component 1 - Performance & Choreography

What’s assessed?

Performance:

You will learn four set phrases and perform two as a solo (approx. 1 minute)

Either a duet or a trio based on the set phrases (approx. 3—3 and a half minutes)

Choreography:

Either a solo or group choreography, of between two to three minutes. choreographed in response to a range of stimuli chosen by the exam board

Component 2 - Dance Appreciation 

Through written communication and use of appropriate terminology, students must be able to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate their own work in performance and choreography and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of professional practice in the six set works in the GCSE Dance Anthology. 

The set studies are as follows;

Shadows  - Christopher Bruce

A Linha Curva - Itzik Galili

Within Her Eyes  - James Cousins

Artificail Things - Lucy Bennett

Emancipation of Expressionism - Boy Blue Entertainment

Infra - Wayne McGregor

Skills Developed

Performance skills learnt will include 

Physical dance skills and attributes such as extension, posture and alignment etc. 

Technical skills such as action, dynamic, spatial, relationship content etc. Expressive skills such as musicality, spatial awareness etc

Mental skills and attributes (during performance), including: movement memory and commitment etc.

Safe working practices (during performance), including: safe execution   appropriate dancewear etc. footwear

Mental skills and attributes (process), including: systematic repetition and mental rehearsal etc. 

Safe working practices (process), including:warming up, cooling down and nutrition etc. 

Assessment:

-Performance - 30% of GCSE / 40 marks

Set phrases through a solo performance (approximately one minute in duration)

Duet/trio performance (three minutes in a dance which is a maximum of five minutes in duration)

-Choreography - 30% of GCSE / 40 marks

Solo or group choreography – a solo (two to two and a half minutes) or a group dance for two to five dancers (three to three and a half minutes)

Overall the practical component is marked out of 80 and is worth 60% of the overall GCSE Grade.                      

-Dance Appreciation -  40% of GCSE

Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes

80 marks

Questions based on students' own practice in performance and choreography and the GCSE Dance anthology.

Progression Route

Academic 

A-level Dance

A-level Drama and Theatre 

A-level Performing arts

Applied

BTEC Performing arts (level,1,2 and 3)

BTEC dance extended diploma (Level 3)

Dance College to study and perform

Dance Diploma Level 2

Employment (examples)

Dance college 

Professional dancer

Dance Instructor

Choreographer

PE and Dance teacher

Theater companies

Theater manager