Curriculum
Dance
The Subject Way
Firstly, to teach students the vital skills they need to achieve their full potential and gain the very best grades they can. Secondly, to teach students how each subject relates to the wider world, incorporating the life skills they will learn.
It is our belief that knowing how what you learn links to the wider world brings a subject to life and therefore improves overall understanding and engagement.
Why study Dance?
BTEC DANCE IS A PROGRESSION FROM STUDYING DANCE AT KS3.
This route has both practical and theory components which will develop your performance skills and knowledge of dance techniques, preparing you for further study at Level 3 at sixth form or college.
What will I learn about?
You will develop knowledge and choreograph skills for performance using interpretive and physical techniques. You will learn warm up motifs, develop independent and team work capabilities and track skills. You will gain performance skills relevant to perform with confidence.
You will be marked on performance skills (practical assessments) and dance knowledge (theory booklets)
- Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts (Internally marked & externally moderated) 30%
- Component 2: Developing skills and techniques (Internally marked & externally moderated) 30%
- Component 3: Performing to a brief (Externally marked & externally moderated) 40%
What happens in lessons?
- You will take part and lead warm up sessions
- You will research elements of dance and learn the vocabulary and terminology linked to the different genres
- You will take part in workshops and performance in and out of school
- You will choreograph and perform dances
What are some of the skills I will need?
Resilience and a passion for dance is essential as you will be required to lead and coach as well as take advice from others.
100% self discipline and commitment will be required in every lesson. Full PE kit, long hair tied back, no jewellery and bare feet in practical lessons is non-negotiable. Weekly theory homework will be set which will take a minimum of 30 minutes.
Year-by-Year Subject Breakdown
In Year 7 your child will study:
- Street dance/Hip Hop
- Musical Theatre
- Latin America/ Paso Doble
- Rock N Roll
- Safety in warm-ups
- Stamina/ Flexibility
Your child’s progress will be assessed using in-class quizzes and tests, summative assessments at the end of each half term and a cumulative test at the end of the year, which will test everything they have learnt throughout Year 7.
Typical homework your child might get in Year 7 is:
- A Kahoot challenge (able to do on phone or laptop)
- Research the history and origins of styles
- Learn certain actions from a video clip
In Year 8 your child will study:
- Musical theatre
- Show dance
- Lindy Hop
- Ballet
- Stomp
- Gumboot
Your child’s progress will be assessed using in-class quizzes and tests, summative assessments at the end of each half term and a cumulative exam at the end of the year, which will test everything they have learnt throughout Year 8.
Typical homework your child might get in Year 8 is:
- Research projects
- Kahoots to test knowledge
- Learning set pieces of choreography
In Year 9 your child will study:
- Evolution of Dance (many styles through the ages)
- Show dance
- Spoken Word/Contemporary/Lyrical
- Musical Theatre
- Professional practitioner repertoire
- Choreography techniques
Your child’s progress will be assessed using in-class quizzes and tests, summative assessments at the end of each half term and a cumulative test at the end of the year, which will test everything they have learnt throughout Year 9.
Typical homework your child might get in Year 9 is:
- Research professional practitioners
- Find and explain unusual dance styles from around the world
- Learn professional repertoire from video clips
- Complete lesson logs
In Year 10 your child will study:
- Professional Practitioners
- Professional repertoire
- Jazz
- Show dance
- Contemporary/Urban fusion
Your child’s progress will be assessed using in-class quizzes and tests, summative assessments at the end of each half term and an external exam at the end of the year.
Typical homework your child might get in Year 10 is:
- Completing online Learning journal weekly logs for component 1
- Researching and Learning routines from video clips
- Practicing routines learnt in class
In Year 11 your child will study:
- Choreographic approaches and techniques
- Constituent features
- Comparisons of Practitioners intentions
- Creating choreography in solo and groups
- Performance techniques
- Performing in front of audiences
Your child’s progress will be assessed using in-class quizzes and tests, summative assessments at the end of each half term and a mock exam during the year, which will test everything they have learnt throughout Year 11.
Typical homework your child might get in Year 11 is:
- Complete Audits
- Booking the dance studio to practice group routines
- Completing a learning journal and weekly logs for component 2
Department Staff
C Mills
Director
- cmills@gainsboroughacademy.com
C Bittles-Kincaid
Find out more
If you would like more information about our curriculum, please contact Mrs Leng, Headteacher using the details on our contact page.
