Dance GCSE Options Information

What is the main aim of the course?

Students will learn to choreograph, perform and appreciate dance as an art form. This holistic engagement with dance informs their development as creative and artistic individuals, and broadens their aesthetic, social and cultural experience. Development of interpersonal skills such as confidence, cooperation and collaboration is also a key focus.

What will you learn?

Students will develop skills, knowledge and understanding of dance as a choreographer, performer and critic through a mixture of practical and theory lessons. Throughout the course students will:

Perform in a range of different dance styles, undertake technique classes, and learn a range of solo and ensemble performance pieces that will help develop confidence when presenting themselves to an audience.

Explore the different stages of the choreographic process, and how to respond creatively to different stimuli and ideas. Learn skills in dance composition, and how to apply these in creating and directing a choreography as part of their GCSE coursework.

Develop skills in dance analysis through studying six professional dance works that make up the GCSE Dance anthology. Learn to appreciate, interpret and evaluate these works, and how they communicate a choreographic intent to an audience. Students will learn how to write about dance, including reflection and evaluation of their own performance and choreography, as well as professional works.

How is the course assessed?

60% is practical coursework which is internally assessed and modified by the exam board. This is broken down into the following components:

15% solo performance

15% duet/trio performance

30% choreography

40% is a written exam (1 exam paper 1.5 hours long) which is marked externally by the exam board.

How does this course connect to the world of work and allow students to reach ambitious destinations?

Students can go on to study a range of dance related courses at W6 Sixth Form at SRWA and at university. There are a variety of different dance pathways, including performance, choreography and teaching. There are also a wealth of other dance related jobs that the course might lead onto, including dance critics, movement therapists or youth workers.

This course will help students to develop vital skills for a range of other industries, particularly those that involve design, creativity or working with people. Developing confidence, creativity and learning how to present yourself to an audience is a key part of any job.

Who do you need to contact if you have any further questions about this course?

Mrs A Askew, aaskew@srwa.woodard.co.uk.