A-Level Dance

This course approaches Dance from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. It provides students with the opportunity to gain experience of performance and choreography and to develop critical thinking about Dance. Students should be prepared to share their work with each other on a regular basis and to perform to an audience on occasions. Over the two-year course, students will develop skills in 3 areas: appreciation of Dance; choreographic approaches and performance. They will have the opportunity both to create their own performance works and to learn extracts of repertoire. The practical elements of the course amount to 50% of the overall qualification.

Are you suitable for this course?

This course is suitable for any student wishing to further their studies in Dance. It builds on the skills, knowledge and understanding that are covered in the GCSE Dance course; however, entry will not be restricted to those students who have attained this qualification. For those students who wish to study Dance at degree level, this course will provide them with a solid grounding in theoretical and practical aspects of the subject. 

What qualifications are needed to study this subject?

This course is particularly suitable for students who have studied GCSE Dance. The entry requirements for the course are GCSE Dance grade 4 or above OR a Level 2 in Dance (Grade 4 or above) from a QCA approved body such as ISTD or RAD. Much of the theory and practical work covered at GCSE forms the basis of the content of AS and A2; therefore, students who do not have this qualification will need to work very hard to catch up on their skills, knowledge and understanding. 

What will be expected from you on this course?

Group work will be balanced with individual study on this course. Consequently, students should be committed to their studies and have an excellent attendance record, particularly because their peers will be reliant upon them. They will be expected to be responsible, disciplined and organised in their approach. Additionally, students will be required to maintain an appropriate level of fitness to be able to keep up with the physical demands of the course.

What will you get out of this course?

Quite apart from the qualification that can be obtained at the end of this course, the approach to A Level Dance lessons requires students to work holistically using both the right and left sides of the brain, developing creativity and intuition as well as logic, sequencing and analytical skills. Students will also experience many problem-solving situations and be expected to become increasingly independent in their planning, time management and goal-setting. A wide range of physical skills will be developed and refined throughout the duration of the course. Furthermore, through their work, students will develop key social skills such as communication, cooperation, empathy, motivation, leadership and organisation that will be vital in any career in which team work is important. The course will foster a sense of responsibility and develop students’ reasoning skills. Individual self-esteem will also be developed, as the candidates will have numerous opportunities to perform in front of an audience. 

Arts administrator.

Choreographer.

Teaching 

Community arts worker.

Dance movement psychotherapist.

Dancer / performing

Personal trainer

Theatre director