Dance GCSE

SYLLABUS: AQA

Students will have opportunities to:

Develop practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin the effective training of a dancer at a professional level.
Understand how physical and performance skills affect the ability and outcome of a dance performance.
Develop the skills to analyse and appreciate professional set dance works.
Have the opportunity to take part in dance performance events to showcase their own and class choreography.
Develop their ability to analyse and evaluate, to improve performance in dance and theatre productions.
Develop an understanding of the history and background of contemporary dance.

Dance Curriculum Road Map

Course Content

Practical Content (60%)

Students study a contemporary style of dance in depth, from which four practical assessments count towards their final grades. These assessments include both creating and learning choreography, as well as performance skills. Practical work is undertaken during every lesson.

Written Content (40%)

Students study a range of professional set works and undertake analysis and appreciation tasks, looking at choreographic process and choreographic form. Students also look at a critical appreciation of their own, as well as professional works.

Skills Developed

In each practical dance assignment, performance skills are developed to a high level which must also be applied in a performance situation. Students must develop a sound knowledge of dance technique, human anatomy and how the body works for a professional dancer.

Additionally, students must learn to observe, analyse, and evaluate their own and other students’ performances and offer advice for them to improve their skills.

An essential part of the course is the planning, performing and evaluation of a solo, as well as a group dance, highlighting students’ performance and technical abilities.

Students must ensure they have their correct and full P.E/Dance kit for every lesson and be aware that even though this is a fully practical course, there is a strong written element.

Exams and Assessment

Practical: Includes practical assessment grades from four different dance performances, worth 60% of the final mark (30% performance and 30% choreography). This includes learning professional choreography and developing your own solo and group choreography.

Written: Includes a final 1½ hour examination in the following:

Knowledge and understanding of choreographic processes and performing skills
Critical appreciation of own work
Critical appreciation of professional work

Why Choose GCSE Dance?

You love dancing and have good skills and understanding in a variety of dance genres. You enjoy learning about the history of dance and where and how different dance styles began.

GCSE Dance lends itself to study at A Level or BTEC National Extended/Subsidiary Diplomas. Potential career paths after further study include teaching, choreography, dance journalism and professional performance opportunities.