Dance
A Level Dance is a dynamic qualification that will encourage you to develop your creative and intellectual capacity alongside fostering a varied range of transferable skills that can be applied in any future career.
The course will challenge you both physically and mentally and push you to become a thinking dancer whilst developing strong creative and technical dance skills. This course promotes both professionalism and artistry and is excellent preparation for those wishing to study and train in dance at a higher level. At the same time it is also accessible to anyone with a genuine interest and passion for dance.
Entry Requirements
GCSE Dance Grade 6+ or equivalent BTEC. The experience of GCSE dance or private dance school experience to Grade 5 and above in ballet or contemporary.
Content
The AQA A Level has two components:
| Component 1: | Performance & Choreography 50% |
| Component 2: | Critical Engagement 50% |
For Component 1, you will explore innovative ideas to develop movement, take part in weekly technique classes to help advance your performance skills and have the opportunity to participate in workshops working with current professionals in the industry.
For Component 2, you will study the history of Rambert Dance Company from 1966-2002 and the Independent Contemporary Dance Scene from 2000-present. This reflects both historical and current dance practices, making it more relevant and inspiring a lifelong passion and appreciation for dance.
Assessment
50% Practical Assessment (a solo in the style of a practitioner, group performance in a quartet and, choreography) & 50% Written Examination (one 2 hour 30 minute exam)
Am I right for the course?
This course is for you if you have a lively and active interest in all aspects of the Dance industry. If you can give a full commitment to practical work, both individual and group work, and can demonstrate a real willingness to research and develop written work independently, then we can help you to further your academic writing skills.
You will be able to immerse yourself in a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities, such as our whole-school production, dance competitions, lead clubs and become a part of our Omnibus Youth Dance Company to help strengthen your skill set as a performer and choreographer. You are right for the course if you can demonstrate confidence in your own passion and ability, as well as the ability of others.
Course Highlights
| Hands-on Experience: |
Work in a new state-of-the-art dance studio. We also have small class sizes, so we tailor the course each year to support individual needs. |
| Personal Development: |
Explore and develop your dance technique, shape your confidence, resilience and organisational skills. |
| Enrichment: |
Numerous trips to London dance venues, i.e. Sadlers Wells, take part in a variety of performance opportunities such as Dance Live or the school production, An Evening of Dance and Let’s Dance, be part of our Youth Dance Company and lead dance clubs for younger students, work frequently with external practitioners in the industry. |
Where Next?
There is a wide variety of career paths and options available to you should you wish to expand your
dance skills in to higher education, whether this be, but is not limited to: performance & choreography, arts within the community, teaching and business, theatre and staging or health and fitness. We offer 1-1 support with students to help them prepare for auditions and help write personal statements that are tailored to conservatoires or universities who specialise in Dance.
FAQ's
- Do I need to have a GCSE in Dance?
It is desirable, but not a requirement. - Do I need to be good at English and writing?
Yes. The exam is 2 hours 30 minutes and consists of three 25-mark essays and 6 short answer questions. - Do I need to dance outside of school?
No, as long as you have a passion for dance and are willing to learn.
Dance A Level Teaching Staff
Subject Leader for Dance
k.towson@stwilfrids.com