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The Norwood School

Dance

Name of subject: Dance

Examination board: Edexcel

Qualification – (A-Level/BTEC): BTEC National Diploma (equivalent to x2 A-Levels)

Entry requirements: Successful completion of BTEC First Award to at least Merit level, or an audition if the subject is not being studied in KS4.

Description of the course (Overview): 

What topics will students cover? – Yr 12 &Yr 13

There are a total of 12 units needed to pass the course.

In Year 12, you will study three dance techniques: Contemporary, Jazz and Ballet. You will take additional afterschool classes especially if they have not studied dance at Level 2:

  •  Ballet to get your splits and double pirouettes and other high level skills.
  • Horton Contemporary is a highly prized technique that gives strength and flow to performance skills.

The additional classes ensure that our students will be able to compete for places at both university and conservatoire level and because you cannot do technique coursework at home.

In addition you will learn Improvisation, Movement and Choreographic Principles through a series of improvisational studies designed to help you understand your movement preferences and develop a wider range of movement vocabulary. You must choreograph a solo, duet and group piece over the year.

You will learn about the Performing Arts Business and how to be a Healthy Performer. For the major performance assessment in May, Year 12 you will perform up to 7 dances in a range of different styles. Dance Performance and Movement in Performance are the two performance units in which we develop how to engage with the audience whilst still demonstrating good technical skills. At the end of Year 12, the most worthy students will be offered bursaries to attend summer schools in London’s top dance schools. This year Xanthus Ingram- Peters will be going to the Laban Summer School and Saquirah Weir will attend a 3 day summer school in Hip Hop at the London Studio Centre.

In Year 13, you will improve understanding of the aspects of putting on a production and prepare a performance to Primary schools. You will learn Applied Contemporary and Choreographing Dances and push for distinctions in all your other units through your second major show. This will include presenting your own choreography.

You will take part in a number of productions over the two years, from assemblies to full productions. You will get to take advantage of our new facilities that include a professional specification 250-seat theatre space, a new dance studio and rehearsal room. Along the way, you can have tasters in a range of dance styles and learn techniques such as body conditioning, massage and relaxation.

What skills will they particularly develop? 

You will learn how to work as part of a performance team - to lead and take the initiative in group work, to undertake independent learning and develop research skills. The work on this course will develop a greater all round confidence that will help you in all areas of life. You will also learn valuable life skills such as healthy living, determination, resilience and striving for excellence as well as good personal presentation skills.

Careers – progression.

Where does this programme of study lead e.g. examples of the types of careers that students can progress into?

BTEC qualifications are valued in Higher Education and by employers, and the natural progression from these Level 3 courses will be a continued study of Dance, either at a Dance conservatoire or University. The emphasis on practical Dance skills means that you have every opportunity to be fully prepared for auditions and interviews and you will be fully supported throughout the progression process either to higher education, further training or work.

If successful there are a wide variety of prospective careers that you can explore, for example: dancer, dance animator, choreographer, dance therapist, dance teacher, and freelance performer. Many dancers have a portfolio career, combining dance with modeling and other commercial work. Many work through agencies. Others become academics researching techniques, writing and sharing knowledge. Others still take dance into production and become costume designers, film makers, health and fitness workers or alternative medicine practitioners.

We have already had students progress on to Dance at City and Islington College, Liverpool and Kingston and Laban. Other students used their dance to support their studies in acting and theatre.

Enrichment activities – identify the variety of places/exhibitions/museums/trips/workshops etc that students will participate in.

You will be given the opportunity to see live performances, take part in workshops and contribute to a number of other events depending on what is in season.