Dance is a subject that is in accordance with the Aristotelian philosophy of ‘Active Learning’, developing knowledge of dance through ‘doing’ and exploring many different dance styles. We seek to help students to apply their creative skills, build confidence in their own abilities and take pride in their own work. We also endeavour to challenge our students to develop their skills as a soloist and as a member of an ensemble. Through doing this, pupils develop a strong understanding of the consequences of their actions and how they can impact on others.
Students learn to express themselves in a safe environment. The main focus of teaching and learning is to encourage the free use of creativity and imagination, through exploration of movement and expression. Students will explore dance through looking at and reproducing seminal dance pieces whilst refining their own skills in movement and choreography. As their skills develop so too does their knowledge of the performing arts industry as we prepare students who are wanting to work in this field. They will also have the opportunity to investigate the technical roles within the industry and approach theatre/dance from this point of view.
Students are also required to create work from a stimulus, such as images, poetry newspaper articles, an emotion or a storyline/theme. In doing this, students will have to engage with an issue sensitively and maturely, encouraging students to explore their own beliefs and understand perspectives of others. Students are assessed on the ideas that they contribute to the process of choreographing dance and have to produce written log to track their progress. This self-reflection allows students to be more open to the challenges the face within their learning and promotes independence and resilience. The breadth of the subject matter investigated during the course allows individuals to explore their own feelings, strengths and weaknesses. Within the reflective element pupils will take part in peer assessment and therefore will ensure reflections and justified and offer positive steps on how to improve. An ability to listen, think and express themselves honestly and clearly, is a skill vital to all learners.
They also perform extracts of professional repertoire that can be a combination of ensemble work, duets and solos. In addition, students explore, research and analyse live professional dance and the roles and responsibilities of the practitioners involved in creating them. Students are given the opportunity to see a piece of live professional dance to prepare them for this and will be encouraged to see many examples of live dance throughout the course to inspire and challenge them further. All practical elements are assessed on students’ ability to create and perform each discipline with accuracy, flair and creativity. We also produce Showcases throughout the year, which are performed to an invited audience encouraging community cohesion and promotes a social identity for dancers.
Curriculum Intent Overview
We believe that students deserve a broad and ambitious Dance curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge, which immerses students in a range of styles. The curriculum will encourage students to become confident and independent thinkers, who will be able to create original dance work and critically analyse professional and non-professional repertoire. Students will have an appreciation of their own work and that of others, always demonstrating respect and empathy.
Our Dance curriculum will give students the opportunity to:
- develop creativity through understanding the benefits of participation in the arts, performance and creativity during their school journey;
- develop co-operation & collaboration;
- develop confidence in communication through developing physical and interpretative skills;
- explore social issues though dance to develop tolerance and understanding;
- be exposed to different peoples’ perspectives and emotions on issues and events;
- be exposed to and use subject specific vocabulary effectively;
- study the history and influence of different practitioners on dance;
- develop an understanding of how to apply and analyse different stylistic qualities such as lyrical, Jazz, contemporary and ballet;
- develop an ability to evaluate their own and others’ work.
| Pedagogy | Enrichment | Other general principles |
| Our pedagogy is supported by:·a focus on developing students’ creativity through exploration;·a focus on developing students’ analysis skills;·the regular use of live modelling of practical tasks to demonstrate techniques effectively and use of exemplar answers to demonstrate processes, standards and expectations of written work;·a range of strategies to deepen knowledge of different styles of dance·the importance of giving students regular opportunities to improve work;·students understanding what they are doing well and how they need to improve;·students developing new skills through a variety of interesting contexts to foster enjoyment;·students developing a rich and deep subject knowledge. | We will enrich our curriculum by:·establishing cross-curricular links with literacy, Drama and SMSC;·providing a rich and varied after school enrichment program;·providing opportunities to see live dance and work with profession artists;·developing partnerships with external providers that extend children’s opportunities for learning;·providing on and off-site subject or topic related experiences;·encouraging students to contribute to the life of the school and the community, including showcases and productions;·improving their spiritual, social, moral and cultural understanding. | Our curriculum will enable students to:·learn within a coherent chronological framework;·learn key strategies and techniques and a level of complexity;·make relevant links between techniques, styles and dance/theatre practitioners;·study with an appropriate division of time between classical dance, classic practitioners/pieces and modern topics and choreographers. |