Performing Arts (Dance)

Dance

Subject Leader: (vacant)

The dance curriculum design means an appreciation for dance as an expression art form, through the development of lifelong skills including creativity, teamwork and confidence.

By the end of KS3, students are prepared to apply their knowledge and understanding of creative arts, through a range of skills, processes and techniques.

By the end of KS4, dance education provides students with the ability to create and perform choreographies and critically analyse professional work. The BTEC Performing Arts course enables learners to work collaboratively, develop non-verbal communication, improve physical well-being, interact with diverse cultures and increase kinesthetic knowledge of the self. The study of Performing Arts also enables students to offer themselves as versatile applicants for Higher Education opportunities.

Key Stage 3 Content

We cover a wide range of stimuli and dance styles over years 7 and 8, introducing pupils to the world of Dance. The curriculum is designed to develop practical abilities, creativity, knowledge of professional performance work, and reflective skills.

Year 7	Year 8
Unit 1: Graffiti (Street Dance)	Unit 1: Physical Theatre
Unit 2: Multimedia	Unit 2: Musical Theatre
Unit 3: 1920s Charleston	Unit 3: Chance Dance
Unit 4: Ghost Dances	Unit 4: Dance Project
Unit 5: Fusion	Unit 5: Rosas Danst Rosas
Unit 6: Cheerleading	Unit 6: Emancipation of Expressionism

Assessment

Each topic is assessed by pupils’ ability to perform a choreography, demonstrating technical and expressive skills from a stimulus.

Homework

An independent learning project is set based on the term’s theme, focusing on the techniques and processes covered during lessons.

How Parents and Carers Can Support

Encourage your child to attend dance classes outside of school, such as Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz etc.
Encourage your child to watch professional dance performances, both live or on-screen. This could include visiting the West End to watching Strictly Come Dancing.
Encourage your child to rehearse their choreography at home.
Offer help or guidance for homework tasks.
Encourage and support pupils in attending extra-curricular activities in dance or theatre.

Additional Support Available/ Useful Links

Reading List

Pearson REVISE BTEC Tech Award Performing Arts Revision Guide
Step-by-step Ballet Class: An Illustrated Guide to the Official Ballet Syllabus
Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild

BTEC TECH AWARD IN PERFORMING ARTS - YEARS 9, 10 AND 11

Exam Board and Syllabus Code

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts (603/7054/3)

This course is a single option at Key Stage 4, resulting in a grade of Distinction, Merit or Pass and provides the equivalent points of 1 GCSE at 9-7.

Content

BTEC qualifications are designed to provide specialist work-related qualifications in a range of sectors. They have been developed to provide the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to prepare learners for employment and /or to provide career development opportunities for those already in work. On successful completion of a BTEC Tech Award qualification, learners may progress into or within employment and/or continue study in the vocational area or related course of study. Pupils will study the Dance pathway.

Overview

Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts (100% theory)

A written research journal, presenting analysis on a professional work and application of own practical work.

Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques on the Performing Arts (60% practical / 40% theory)

A performance of a final piece of repertoire, recordings of workshops and rehearsals and an accompanying written logbook.

Component 3: Responding to a brief (30% practical / 70% theory)

Choreographing a performance piece from an allocated stimulus. External assessment includes a live performance, and 3 examined written tasks.

Assessment

Component 1 – Internal Assessment

Learners will complete a research task based on a range of dance choreographers and complete a research journal that demonstrates their understanding of the practitioner’s style.

Component 2 – Internal Assessment

Learners will workshop, rehearse and perform a 2 minute ‘professional’ piece of repertoire, from a chosen practitioner. They will be assessed on their commitment to rehearsals, the range of performance skills used and on written tasks in log books that should demonstrate consistent self-reflection and evaluation.

Component 3 - External Assessment

Learners will choreograph a performance based on an externally assessed set brief. They will be assessed on how they develop the work, range of performance skills used and on written tasks in log books that should demonstrate consistent self-reflection and evaluation.

Homework

It is important to note that there is an expectation that pupils attend regular after-school rehearsals. Other homework includes working towards the performing arts log; research, reflection, analysis and evaluation.

How Parents and Carers Can Support

Ensure pupils attend all performance trips, workshops and visits.
Encourage your child to attend dance classes outside of school, such as Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz etc.
Encourage your child to watch professional dance performances, both live or on-screen. This could include visiting the West End to watching Strictly Come Dancing.
Encourage your child to rehearse their choreographies at home.
Offer help or guidance for homework tasks.
Encourage and support pupils in attending extra-curricular activities in dance or theatre.

Additional Support Available/ Useful Links

Reading List

Pearson REVISE BTEC Tech Award Performing Arts Revision Guide
Step-by-step Ballet Class: An Illustrated Guide to the Official Ballet Syllabus
Watch as many professional dance performances as possible!

Performing Arts Subject Roadmaps
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