Dance

A Level Dance is a hugely rewarding course that offers a dynamic mix of physical and mental challenge for those who are passionate about Dance. During the two-year course, you will have the opportunity to develop your own artistic practice, while also strengthening your technical skills. Performance opportunities will enable you to translate theory to real life, helping you to develop confidence and a real sense of presence in front of others.

Through looking at professional dance works, you will grow your understanding of the UK and international dance landscape as well as the social, political, historical and economic factors that have influenced Dance today. This course is rich in opportunities for you to challenge and apply your interpretative, analytical and evaluative skills. The benefits of these critical thinking skills extend far beyond A Level Dance; they will help to feed your future curiosity, appreciation and understanding in all areas of life. Our Dance students have been able to further their dance education at a variety of institutions, including vocational dance conservatoires such as London Contemporary Dance School, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Rambert and Trinity Laban. Dancers may also choose to specialise in areas such as Dance Science, Dance History, Dance Performance, Dance Choreography and Dance in Education, as well as other Performing Arts professions, such as Physical Theatre, Musical Theatre and Drama. Ultimately, A Level Dance helps to promote the practical, creative, social and academic skills needed to thrive in today’s complex and fast-paced world.

Course structure /

Exam board: AQA Unit 1: Performance and Choreography (Practical exam 50%) • Solo performance (25%) • Performance in a quartet (25%) • Your group choreography (50%)

Unit 2: Critical engagement (Written exam 50%) • Section A: short answer questions and one essay question on the compulsory set work/area of study (50%). • Section B: two essay questions on the second set work/area of study (50%). Beyond A Level /

Even if a career in Dance isn’t the end goal, there are still many reasons why A Level Dance is the right course. A Level Dance fosters independent and proactive learning for life. It promotes the type of leadership skills that are needed in Higher Education and beyond. Students are well-versed in creative thinking and doing, enabling them to consider decisions and solve problems in a dynamic and comprehensive way. As well as written and verbal communication skills, students are adept at physically inferring and communicating ideas. Knowing how to effectively engage and relate to others, they make excellent collaborators and team players.

Entry requirements /

GCSE English Language or Literature (Grade 5) Students are not required to have studies Dance at GCSE.