DANCE
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What is Dance about?
Dance is unique in that it provides a blend of artistic practice and appreciation with the development of physical skills delivered in a way that supportive and encouraging. Through performing, creating and observing work from different genres, cultures and time periods, students develop an inquisitive and analytical mind. Through the teaching of Dance and the arts, we aspire to broaden and enrich students’ experiences both in an out of the classroom to provide a lifelong and positive relationship with the arts.
What do we teach in Dance and why?
At each key stage, dance focuses on three key domains;
- Performance
- Choreography
- Critical Appreciation
At KS3, students develop skills and knowledge in performance and choreography whilst
learning how to evaluate their own and others work to aid improvement.
At KS4 students build upon the skills and knowledge learnt in KS3. Both the practical and written work interlink, creating a wholistic approach to learning. Students develop their technique and choreographic skills to perform and create with more originality and sophistication. They develop analytical and interpretive skills through exploring the work of professional artists across a variety of genres and practitioners working in the industry today.
At KS5 students delve deeper into the history of dance, studying the broad repertoire of Rambert Dance Company and its origins all the way through to Contemporary Dance in Britain. Students participate in weekly technique and choreography classes to develop and strengthen their skills. Students are given the opportunity to visit universities and participate in open days and are encouraged and supported to continue their studies in dance and/or find a career pathway within the arts.
All dance lessons and rehearsals allow students to practice to perfect by providing time to explore, respond and refine their work. They develop the courage and confidence to perform and share their ideas in a safe and supportive learning environment, working independently or collaboratively with others in a variety of groups. Students are challenged to stretch themselves. Oracy skills are developed, using vocabulary that are taught and imbedded through regular retrieval and peer and self-feedback. Homework and written work supports literacy skills (KS4 and 5) and is used to deepen learning and prepare students for lessons and the written exams.
What does the Dance enable our students to do?
Performance – Become more technically proficient and confident performers in range of styles by developing, physical, expressive, technical and mental performance skills.
Choreography– Explore and create work from a range of stimuli and to learn the art of what makes an effective choreography.
Critical Appreciation: Be able to understand and explain what makes a performance / choreography effective and apply is this knowledge to their own work. Analyse and interpret peers, own work and that of professional artists to explain how production features contribute to the intent of a work.
Students develop an appreciation of dance and the arts and build the confidence to involve themselves in activities both inside and out of school. Dance encourages skills that are important in everyday life including, communication, collaboration, commitment, confidence, empathy and tolerance.
How is the curriculum structured in Dance?
KS3
- At KS3, Dance is taught as part of the PE curriculum.
- In years 7 and 8, students will participate in one, 4-week block of dance.
KS4
- Students can then select Dance as a GCSE option.
- GCSE Dance is a two-year course taught over 3 lessons a week.
What specifications do we follow?
GCSE AQA 8236
What are the links between Dance and other subjects?
Dance has clear links with a number of subjects, the most obvious being those in the performing arts such as drama and music as they share vocabulary and the skills of performing and creating whilst developing teamwork, confidence and rigour. Students explore how music can support meaning and intent, they perform and create to music with different time signatures and from different genres and periods. Links can also be made to art as paintings and photographs are used as stimuli for the creation of work. As a Performing and Visual arts Specialist school, these disciplines work collaboratively, particularly on school productions. Due to the physicality of dance, links can also be made to PE in relation to the, physical skills required as well as the importance of safe practice in dance.
At GCSE links can be made to English as we analyse professional works and make inferences to their meaning. Poems, quotes and historical events can set by the exam board for the creation of student work which can links to History. At A-Level, students also explore the history of dance in Britain, researching and learning how historical events and social, economic and political changes influenced practitioners in reference to the style, themes and structure of the work that was created and where and how it was seen and received.
What are the future careers students can take when they study Dance?
A qualification in dance can form the basis of preparatory study for specialised careers as a dancer, choreographer or working in the theatre industry.
It could also lead to the following careers; Education Specialist (teacher), Community Dance Practitioner, Dance/Arts/Culture Officer, Dance Film Maker, Dance Journalist, Dance Lecturer or Academic Researcher, Costume/Set Designer Dance Company, Dance Movement Therapist, Dance Photographer, Dance Project Coordinator or Administrator, Dance Science Dance Teacher, Lighting Designer/Technical Production Management,, Notation/Choreology, Pilates Instructor, Press and Public Relations Specialist, Yoga Instructor, Fitness instructor/personal trainer, Physiotherapist, Event manager.
What extra-curricular activities can students take part when you study Dance?
Students can participate in a weekly dance club which is open to all KS3 students with the opportunity to perform in assemblies, local dance festivals and school shows.
There is also the opportunity of year 6 students to audition to enter the school via the Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) route. If successful, students participate in an extra lesson a week in their chosen arts discipline whilst in years 7 and 8. These students work towards their Bronze Arts Award and in recent years have represented Enfield in The London Youth Games Dance Competition. Students are provided with the opportunity to enrich their experience by attending theatre trips and participating in workshops with professional artists and companies.
