Dance
GCSE Dance
Examination Board: AQA
Who to speak to:
Mr Nicholls or Miss Leverett
WHY SHOULD STUDENTS CHOOSE Dance?
The course will enable enables students to develop skills, whilst developing their knowledge and understanding of dance as a choreographer, performer and critic through: They will have the opportunity to adapt a wide range of skills and techniques effectively in performing and choreographing dances, including the ability to improve;
• Creating dances for a range of purposes and in response to different stimuli.
• Developing the ability to analyse, evaluate and appreciate dance.
Students will also appreciate the contribution of dance to their personal and social health, fitness and wellbeing and be aware of the range of opportunities and pathways available in dance.
WHAT WILL STUDENTS NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS COURSE?
To have experience and enthusiasm for dance whilst having a repertoire of skills to create independent and group performances.
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
This course is suitable for students of all abilities. We will continue to offer a range of extracurricular sporting activities to support students in their practical development. We have developed a range of resources to support and facilitate our learners across all aspects of the course. Throughout the course, we run two drop-in sessions, where students have the opportunity to gain further support in smaller groups. Closer to the examinations we offer additional personalised intervention sessions.
Course DEscription and Content
The students will study the skills of composition, performance and appreciation through a range of dance styles. Technical and expressive skills will be a key focus and students will study a range of professional works, with six studied on the new anthology including established and emerging choreography. The new GCSE teaching specification has a practical emphasis of 60%, enabling candidates to actively and physically demonstrate their knowledge of dance practice.
Assessment
The course is assessed by two controlled assessment tasks and a written examination:
Component 1 - Performance:
Set phrases through a solo performance (approximately 1 minute)
Duet/trio performance (3 ½ minutes)
30% of the final grade
40 marks (15 marks for set phrases and 25 marks for duet/trio performance)
Component 1 - Choreography:
Solo or group choreography – a solo (2-2 ½ minutes) or a group dance for two to five dancers (3-3 ½ minutes)
30% of the final grade
40 marks
Examination
Component 2 - Examination - a 1 hour and 30 minute examination worth 40% of the final grade.
Students who study Dance can go on to gain employment in the Performing Arts sector as a dancer or dance teacher, or progress on to further education or a vocational qualification.
FURTHER EDUCATION AND CAREER PATHWAYS
The GCSE provides an ideal basis for A-Level Dance and Performing Arts or Theatre Studies. Students can pursue the subject at a higher level in the fields of performance, choreography, journalism and stage management, which could lead to careers in professional dance, dance administration, dance teaching, dance theory and dance research and development.