Dance GCSE

Exam Board: Exam Board: AQA

The GCSE Dance course allows candidates to develop an insight into and an understanding of a wide range of Dance based activities including: • Using movement to express ideas and concepts • Developing and applying performance skills • Appreciating professional works • Exploring contemporary dance technique

“Dance is vital, an activity both exhilarating and liberating to watch or do. The instinct to dance is fundamentally joyous and no matter how hard you try you can’t get away from that for long.”

Candidates are given the opportunity to develop an understanding and working knowledge in three key areas;

• As performers, students develop confidence, technique, selfesteem, as well as being able to sensitively work with others. • As choreographers, students use their problem-solving and creative skills. Effective choreography requires imagination and the ability to organise a number of elements. • As critics, students make informed decisions about the dances they see. They articulate their knowledge, opinions and preferences.

How the course is assessed How the course is assessed

Internally marked and externally moderated coursework and a 1½ Suitable Candidates hour written exam.

• Marks are awarded for • Performance- 30% • Post 16 Progression Routes Choreography – 30% • Appreciation – 40%

Exam questions are based Student Comments on students’ own practice in performance and choreography and the six professional dance works.

Suitable Candidates

Whilst students who wish to follow the course do not need to have had previous experience of performance, this is a challenging course and they should have enjoyed opportunities in lessons for performing, choreographing and appreciating. They should also have a keen interest in dance and be prepared to give time out of school for theatre visits and rehearsing with their group in preparation for examined performances.

Post 16 Progression Routes

AS and A level Dance or Performing Arts BTEC Dance or Performing Arts.

Student Comments

“Dance challenges me in a completely different way to my other subjects. Besides doing something I love,I develop as a dancer, work creatively through choreography, and express myself in performance, whilst also studying about dance and the history of it.”