Years 7-9

This exciting and interesting subject aims to develop your interest and passion for performing arts both as performers and as audience members giving you an enthusiasm for the subject. You will have the opportunity to experience a range of dramatic and theatrical skills developing them with your creativity and imagination. You will have an array of performance opportunities throughout the course including devising drama, scripted performance, dance technique, choreographing dance and musical theatre repertoire. Lessons will be highly practical and there will be a range of group and individual work to allow you to develop the skills and fulfil your potential within the subject. A challenging, creative and enjoyable course.

Topics include

Musical Theatre
Jazz
Ballet
Rock and Roll
Variety Theatre
African Performance
Pantomime

Assessment

Students will be assessed at the end of each scheme of work by your teachers, this will involve a practical performance. Throughout the term you will be given feedback in a variety of forms including; written, verbal, peer and self-assessment. This feedback will help you make improvements to your practical performance work throughout the course of key stage three.

Years 10 and 11

Awarding Body
AQA

Course overview

GCSE Dance is a vibrant and expressive course that allows students to explore their creativity through a mix of practical performance and theoretical study. Lessons are varied and engaging, focusing on performance, choreography, and critical appreciation of dance. Students will develop physical skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of dance as a powerful art form. The course also promotes key life skills such as collaboration, self-expression, and resilience, while encouraging students to fulfil their creative potential.

What will students study?

Component 1 performance and choreography (60% of the overall grade):
Students will learn and perform a set series of individual and group dance phrases in various styles. They will develop, refine and perform these pieces, focusing on technical and expressive skills. Students will also create a solo or group choreography in a chosen genre, demonstrating originality and use of choreographic devices.

Component 2 dance appreciation (40% of overall grade):
This theoretical unit deepens students’ understanding of choreography, performance and the dance anthology set by the exam board. Students will study six professional dance works, building their ability to analyse, interpret and evaluate both professional performances and their own. The anthology includes pieces such as Artificial Things, Infra, and Within Her Eyes.

Throughout the course, students will have opportunities to take part in extra-curricular performing arts clubs, dance workshops and trips to watch live performances, enriching their learning and experience of dance.

Assessment

GCSE Dance is graded 1–9.

Component 1: Internally assessed practical work in performance and choreography, externally moderated.
Component 2: Externally assessed written exam focusing on students’ knowledge and appreciation of dance, including analysis of the anthology works.

Recommended revision guides / course resources

GCSE Bitesize – Dance section (Higher)
GCSE Bitesize – Physical Education – Dance section
GCSE dance anthology professional works –  Artificial Things – Stopgap Dance Company
GCSE dance anthology professional works – Within Her Eyes – James Cousins Company