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The Howard Partnership Trust (THPT) is a Surrey based Multi-Academy Trust, comprising four secondary, six primary and two special schools with two further under development. We are proud of our ethos of collaboration and inclusion, "Bringing out the best" in students of all abilities and backgrounds. Visit website

Part of The Howard Partnership Trust

Dance

Level GCSE
Exam Board AQA
Website www.aqa.org.uk

Dance is a powerful, unique form of communication and social interaction that can change the way students feel, think and act. It brings together intellect, feelings and enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development through movement. As an established part of culture, past and present, it helps students understand themselves and relate to others, forging important creative links between themselves and the wider world. 

GCSE Dance is an inspiring qualification, which develops students' ability to compose, perform and appreciate dances through observing, discussing and actively exploring a wide variety of dance styles. Self-reflection, interpersonal skills and teamwork are also central to dance in addition to the development of creative, artistic, social, technical and physical skills. Students are taught to choreograph and perform both solo and group pieces which communicate a theme to the audience and they will explore professional works through the new GCSE Dance Anthology. Dance encompasses a range of key life skills to encourage personal and emotional maturity, making a ‘thinking’ dancer. It further encourages physical involvement and benefits students’ general health and well being. 

The three main strands of the course are choreographing, performing and appreciating professional dance pieces. Students are encouraged to use their body as an instrument of expression to convey creatively their own ideas and express emotions and meanings in their work. 

Non-exam Assessments 60% - Component 1:

  • Performance in a Duet/Trio (in any style) choreographed by the teacher and students
  • Set phrases solo performance
  • Solo or Group Choreography - created by the student based on a selected stimulus, students are encouraged to work creatively and originally to explore their chosen idea to create a dance which connects and communicates to the audience 

Examination 40% - Component 2:

  • Written exam: Dance appreciation of Dance (40%)

This exam is based on their own practice and experiences in the studio and on the GCSE Dance anthology - a set of professional works which explore a range of dance styles 

Post-16 Choices

Students may progress to study A-Level Dance or BTEC Level 3 in Performing Arts (Dance) at KS5. The A-Level course provides students with the opportunity to gain experience of performance and choreography and to develop detailed, critical thinking and appreciation skills of Dance. These transferrable skills are valued and can be applied to many area of study/courses for further study into Higher Education. The BTEC Level 3 in Performing Arts is a more vocational course enabling performers to gain relevant experience of dance and performing to help them into employment. 

This course is being offered instead of Core PE and will be timetabled in one half of the population. Students wishing to take this GCSE may need to swap populations to join the class. This GCSE course is an additional option, on top of their GCSE option choices and will provide an additional GCSE qualification. This course will only run with sufficient numbers for a class. 

Students will be expected to attend Theatre trips to see live Dance performances, take part in workshops and events and perform in the annual Gym and Dance production and in the Summer Arts festival.

 

 

 

Staff Contact
Mrs L Seymour - lucy.seymour@oxted.thpt.org.uk