Dance

Dance

Head of Department - Miss Stephens

At Holy Family Catholic High School, our Dance GCSE curriculum is crafted to instill a profound appreciation for the art of dance, fostering both creative expression and physical mastery. Our aim is to immerse students in a range of dance styles, from classical to contemporary, and global to local, cultivating an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts that shape each form. Students will develop technical proficiency, focusing on core techniques, strength, flexibility, and coordination. Regular assessments and targeted feedback will guide their progress, ensuring a solid foundation in both individual and group performance. 

The curriculum places a strong emphasis on nurturing creative exploration, encouraging students to develop their unique artistic voices through choreography. Creative projects will challenge them to think critically, experiment with different styles, and collaborate effectively. With frequent live performance opportunities, students will build confidence, stage presence, and a sense of responsibility, preparing them not only for the GCSE assessments but also for a lifelong appreciation of dance as a form of personal expression, cultural enrichment, and physical well-being. We aspire to empower students at Holy Family Catholic High School to become confident, articulate, and expressive individuals within the realm of Dance and beyond. 

GCSE Dance

‘Chosen to inspire creativity and to support dance theory and practice’

Dance GCSE is an exciting opportunity for students to explore their talents and creativity through a course designed to meet the requirements of AQA GCSE.

Students will be encouraged to expand their imagination by exploring different stimuli to choreograph and perfect their own routine. Students will study set phrases and build an advanced skill set to meet the spatial and dynamic needs of contrasting works.

The ability to interpret, analyse and evaluate work of their own and work of professionals is crucial and will be a thread throughout the course.

What will you do?

Component 1 = 60%

Performance

• A set phrase solo piece
• A professionally choreographed group piece

Choreography

• A solo OR group piece that will be choreographed by the student inspired by a stimulus.

Component 2 = 40%

Dance Appreciation

• A 1.5 hour written exam that will assess your ability to describe, analyse, interpret, evaluate and reflect on your own work and the study of a dance anthology.

Information

This specification focuses on the aesthetic and artistic qualities of dance and the symbolic use of movement to express and communicate ideas and concepts through the interrelated processes of performance, choreography and appreciation. Dance is a powerful and empowering form of non- verbal communication, and it is both physical and expressive, which makes it similar to and different from other art forms and physical activities. Dance develops creative, imaginative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacities.

Is dance right for me?

To make excellent progress in this subject you need to be committed to the rehearsal and performance process. You will need to be able to demonstrate a strong skill set through every task to demonstrate your appreciation of dance and the work of professionals. You must be motivated and interested by dance and be able to think creatively.

Skills you will develop throughout the course

Expressive skills

 

Physical skills

 

Technical Skills

Action Content – travel, turn, elevation, gesture, stillness, floor work, transfer of weight

Dynamic Content – fast/slow, sudden/sustained, acceleration/deceleration, strong/light, direct/indirect

Spatial Content – Pathways, levels, directions, size of movement, patterns, spatial design