Dance offers the opportunity to develop students’ physical activity, artistic expressions, and social interaction.
At Knutsford Academy we aim to broaden students’ experience of performance choreography and appreciation. Our curriculum encompasses a range of styles and techniques helping students develop their dance technique, co-ordination, creativity, and self-expression.
We study the AQA GCSE Dance specification. This is separated into two components:
Component One:
Performance and Choreography
Students will learn how to perform as a solo dancer and as part of a duet/trio dance. Students must be able to demonstrate application of:
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physical skills and attributes safely during performance
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technical skills accurately and safely during performance
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expressive skills
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mental skills and attributes during performance.
Students will learn how to respond creatively to an externally set stimulus, to choreograph their own complete dance by the end of the unit. To create their own dance, students will study, understand and be able to apply the following, as appropriate to their choreography:
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Action, spatial, dynamic and relationship content
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Choreographic processes
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Choreographic devices
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Structural devices
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Choice of aural and physical setting
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Response to a variety of stimuli
Component Two:
Dance Appreciation
Through written communication and use of appropriate terminology, students will critically analyse, interpret and evaluate their own work in performance and choreography. They will furthermore demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of professional practice in the six set works in the GCSE Dance Anthology.
Enrichment
In KS4 pupils are offered the following to support and enhance their GCSE studies:
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GCSE tutorial support
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Musical Theatre Dance Club
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Short Back and Sides Dance Company
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Ignition Dance Company (Auditioned)
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External Community Performance Platforms
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Dance Theatre trips and residentials
Careers
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Professional Dance/Musical Theatre Performer
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Choreographer
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Freelance Community Practitioner
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Dance Teacher/Educator
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Dance Journalist
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Dance Physiotherapy
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Dance Historian
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Stage Management
Drama GCSE
Course Summary
Drama GCSE is a predominantly practical course. The course is divided into two elements, Drama Coursework and Drama Performance.
Throughout the course students will:
- Further their understanding of improvisation and relevant dramatic and theatrical skills
- Experience improvisation and scripted drama tasks in a range of different group compositions
- Develop a theatrical vocabulary and learn to use this in written responses to their own practical work and the work of others (including live theatre)
- Be expected to demonstrate an enjoyment of Drama and Theatre and to contribute actively to all aspects of the course.
Assessment
The course is divided into two elements these are:
- Drama Coursework (60% – two practical investigations supported by a portfolio of evidence)
- Drama Performance (40%)
Music GCSE
Course Summary
Music GCSE is a practical course. Students who enjoy playing an instrument or singing in any style, including classical, pop, rock, jazz, music theatre and many more and would like to perform, compose and learn more about music will find this course suitable for them. An ability to read music is not essential.
Throughout the course students will:
- develop a greater understanding of different styles of music
- perform as a soloist and in ensembles, ranging from duets to bands, pieces of music and songs of their own choice on an instrument or voice of their choice, which will be recorded onto CD
- compose a piece of music or song in a style of their own choice, using instruments and voices of their own choice, which will be recorded onto CD compose a piece of music or song to a set brief, which will be recorded onto CD
Assessment
The course consists of three units:
- Performing (30%)
- Composing (30%)
- Listening (40%)
The first three units are assessed practically, while the listening unit is also assessed by examination.