Curriculum overview for GCSE Dance

Curriculum intent – the knowledge, understanding and skills that students will learn
The Dance department aim to create lessons that will inspire and motivate all our students. Dance is a powerful and expressive subject, which encourages students to develop their creative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacity, whatever their previous experience in the subject. At Blackfen School for Girls we recognise the role of dance in young people’s lives and students will study a range of dance styles and style fusions. Students will also study a range of professional works, which will develop their ability to critically appraise and provide a springboard for engaging in practical tasks. The course will provide students with a platform to express themselves creatively alongside key industry skills they will need for the working world (for example, teamwork, leadership and creative thinking).These skills will be gained whilst learning four set phrases, choreographing to stimulus, responding to themes and motif creation and development. Whilst studying GCSE Dance students will also have opportunities to experience peer mentoring and coaching during their lessons. Studying GCSE Dance will prove students with the technical, physical, expressive and mental skills they need to execute a dance performance as well as production elements including lighting, sound, costume, physical setting. During the course students will also gain an awareness of safe dance practice. 

Curriculum implementation – teaching, learning and assessment strategies
Dance provides a cultural learning experience that is individual to the subject area. We are continually refreshing our resources, to provide students with a current and thought-provoking learning journey in the school. They are challenged both physically, mentally and creatively in all lessons. Dance teaches students to work collaboratively and creatively as well as providing students with cultural capital. Dance can enrich a student’s experience both in the classroom and in other areas of life helping them to express themselves. Dance GCSE is physically challenging and will encourage students to work on their physical skills and fitness. At Blackfen School for Girls we also explore many SMSC/PSHE topics kinaesthetically allowing for students to develop a creative response to very important topics such as diversity, bullying and mental health. At GCSE students will study a range of practical and theory lessons, that are spilt into teacher led workshops, choreography lessons, rehearsal lessons. All practical lessons will focus on what the key skills are (Expressive, physical, technical and mental) and how to use them. Students receive regular verbal feedback each lesson. Theory lessons will be structured around watching and discussing professional works, class discussion and completing a folder of work. At the end of each unit students will complete practice questions and/or past papers.  Resources and home learning are put on Teams to support students further.

Curriculum impact – intended outcomes for students 
The skills acquired in GCSE Dance are transferrable to other areas of life and subjects within the school. In Dance, students have the opportunity to experience peer mentoring and working with students in other years. If students opt to take GCSE Dance they will mentor younger students which will enable them to work on their leadership and coaching skills. These skills are not only essential for adulthood and the work place, but they also help with enriching a young person’s experience both in and outside of school. Additionally in dance we support PSHE themes through topic exploration and discussions.  At the very core of our department is our widely experienced staff (including ex-professional performers) who between them have a wealth of knowledge and interests, allowing for a diverse and challenging curriculum. Students will develop their understanding of the process of creating choreography including motif and motif development, as well as technical, physical and expressive skills as a performer, including the application of creativity and ability to create original, highly sophisticated movement when responding to a stimulus. (for example; art, music and props) Students learn to perform with meaning and purpose and develop practical skills as a dancer and ability to respond to material quickly and precisely Students will have the opportunity to take part in performances both in school and at external venues.  We also encourage pupils to reflect on their learning through feedback and discussions to develop critical and reflective thinkers to help prepare them for the next stage of their lives. 

Course overview for GCSE Dance
Exam board: AQA - https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/dance/gcse/dance-8236/specification-at-a-glance
Coursework: NEA assessments worth 60% of the course marks

Component 1: Performance and Choreography – 60% (NEA assessment)
Performance
Choreography

Component 2: Dance appreciation – 40%
Section A: Knowledge and Understanding of Choreographic Processes and Performing Skills
Section B: Critical Appreciation of own work
Section C: Critical Appreciation of professional works