Dance
Curriculum INTENT
Our intent is to provide a broad and ambitious Dance Curriculum at KS4; rich in skills and knowledge. To offer a range of opportunities to learn and develop skills in a variety of dance styles.
KS3/KS4 Dance
Dance at KS3 is taught as an activity within the PE curriculum. For more information on this you can go to the PE subject area.
At KS4 students can choose Dance as an option and will build on their basic knowledge gaining a more in depth understanding of the subject.
The students will be studying a VCERT Level 1/2 Technical Award in Performance Skills with the focus being on Dance. Students will develop their understanding of working in the Performing Arts Industry.
During this course students will complete two mandatory units.
- Unit 1: Working in The Performance Industry (Externally Assessed written exam - 40%)
- Unit 2: Planning and Performing (Externally moderated unit - 60%)
At the end of Unit 1:Working in the Performance Industry students will sit an exam which will contribute 40% towards the overall final grade.
Students will then begin work on Unit 2, ‘Preparing to Perform’. In this unit they will prepare an ensemble performance and a solo performance for an audience. They will do this in response to an assignment brief (set by the exam board). Students will plan and prepare all aspects of their performance from costume needs to administration planning such as risk assessments and finding suitable venues.
The course offers a very hands-on approach to experiencing working in the performing arts. It requires the students to be able to work well in a group, be reliable and committed and imaginative.
The KS4 pathways will encourage students to become more confident and independent thinkers. Students will have a safe environment to express themselves through dance and will be encouraged to develop their creativity and imagination through this.
Curriculum End Points
End Points: KS3
Performance:
Students have consistently demonstrated competence in a range of skills including:
- Physical Skills
- Technical Skills
- Expressive Skills
They have shown the ability to be able to use these confidently and in a range of genres and styles.
They have shown the ability to have stylistic awareness of different genres and styles and apply the skills appropriately.
Devising:
Students have shown knowledge and understanding of how to create well-structured and thought out dance performance pieces. They have shown this through the demonstration of their choice of devices, or their character development.
They will have demonstrated a creative facility when creating dance performance work.
They will have shown that they understand the differences in stylistic genres and qualities within each style. They will have shown this in both devised the learning of professional work.
Students will have been able to work creatively both independently and in groups, and have been able to show refining and rehearsal techniques effectively.
They have been able to respond to a range of stimuli, in order to generate creative ideas.
Appreciation:
Students investigated how performance pieces were created. They explored professional performance material, its origins and the influences that impacted its development. They also researched the purpose of the piece.
Students reviewed their own practical development and how well their own performance skills were applied. They evaluated their process of rehearsal and final performance. They highlighted both areas for improvement and their successes.
End Points: KS4
Performance:
Students have demonstrated an understanding of the skills, techniques and approaches used by professionals to create work. They have explored professorial repertoire and workshopped ideas relating to a specific theme or purpose. Through their explorations they have also communicated the purpose both through practical and analysis tasks.
Students have taken part in the rehearsal process. They have applied performance skills and techniques to script work. They have also participated in the rehearsal process when developing their own material in response to a brief.
Creating:
Students have shown an understanding of how to creatively respond to a brief. They have done this both through discussion and practical exploration of a stimulus. They have generated ideas through participating in a workshop where ideas were explored & concepts developed which linked to a given brief or idea.
They demonstrated that they could select and develop skills and techniques that were needed to realise creative ideas in response to the brief.
Appreciation:
Students investigated how performance pieces were created. They explored professional performance material, its origins and the influences that impacted its development. They also researched the purpose of the piece.
Students reviewed their own practical development and how well their own performance skills were applied. They evaluated their process of rehearsal and final performance. They highlighted both areas for improvement and their successes.
Curriculum in Year 10
Performance Skills / Expressive Skills / Technical Skills
- Understanding roles and responsibilities of the performance industry
- Understanding National Organisations
- Understand how performance are promoted
- Understanding production planning
- Understanding rehearsal process
- Official Written Exam
How we assess:
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
| Overview |
Students will be assessed on their basic performance and choreography skills that were taught at KS3 during their PE lessons.
Students will create and be assessed as an ensemble where students should show a development in their practical performance skills.
Students will also be be studying and being assessed in the first two Learning outcomes of Unit 1 (Written / Theory unit)
|
Students will be assessed on their continued development of Performance skills.
Students will create and be assessed on a solo choreography piece.
Students will be studying and will be assessed on Unit 1: LO3 and LO4 (Written / Theory Unit)
|
Unit 2 Mock Examination.
Students will be studying and will be assessed on Unit 1: LO5
Unit 1 Official Exam (40% of the overall grade) |
| Content |
Performance Skills - Timing, Projection, Fluency, Rhythm, clarity of movement
LO1 - Understand roles, responsibilities, skills and qualities in the Performance Industry. LO2 - Understand National Organisations related to employment in the Performance Industry.
|
Performance Skills/Expressive Skills : - Characterisation, Facial Expression, Energy, Dynamic Range
Choreography Skills: - Structure, Theme, Motif Development, Action Content
LO3 - Understand how performers are promoted LO4 - Understand production planning. |
LO5 - Understand Rehearsal Process.
Ensemble and group choreography. |
How can parents help?
- Ask questions regarding the key terminology (found in the content section above)
- Watch performances when rehearsing at home
- Revision questioning
- Attend performances that your child is involved in
Curriculum in Year 11
Unit 2 – Planning and Performing
- Understanding how to respond to a live performance brief
- Understanding pre-production and production roles
- Understanding rehearsal and development of material
- Understanding how to present to an audience
- Understand how to review a live performance
How we assess:
Students will repeat the process of Spring term if they are required to.
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
| Overview |
November - Second and final attempt of written examination (if needed.)
Students will be assessed on the planning and performance of an Ensemble and solo choreography piece. (Preparation for Unit 2 Synoptic Project.)
|
Students will complete Unit 2: Synoptic Project
Practical assessment (60% of overall grade.) |
Second attempt of Unit 2 Synoptic Project (if needed)
External Moderation |
| Content |
Ensemble Choreography -
Solo Choreography
|
Responding to a live performance brief
Pre -Production roles
Rehearsal and development of material
Presenting to an audience
Reviewing a live performance
|
If required students will repeat the process from the previous term. The process will remain the same although the exam board will send out a new overall theme. |
How can parents help?
- Watch performances when rehearsing at home.
- Discuss the key terminology - (found in content section above)
- Attend Final Performance production