Dance

I feel that the essence of dance is the expression of man – the landscape of his soul. I hope that every dance I do reveals something of myself or some wonderful thing a human can be.

Martha Graham

The purpose of Dance within the curriculum is to equip and empower our students with the tools to become inquisitive, persistent, imaginative, collaborative and disciplined individuals. Our diverse and thought provoking Schemes of Learning throughout KS3, 4 and 5, encourage students to develop their skills in wondering and questioning through the analysis of dance. We give our students ample opportunities to explore and investigate themes and current issues through a variety of choreographic tasks, whilst developing their social skills through group work.  The curriculum is designed to tap into their creativity through a range of scenarios that develops their imagination and their ability to play with possibilities whilst making connections. It is important that whilst building on students’ physical, technical and expressive skills that equal weight is given to developing resilient, disciplined and independent individuals who are able to critically reflect on their work and the work of their peers.

We pride ourselves on the many opportunities that students have to collaborate with their peers, not only through giving and receiving feedback but through sharing their work and ideas, which culminates in our yearly dance show.

Our dance enrichment programme provides students with the opportunity to develop their skills and interests further. Burghley Youth Dance Company, KS3 Dance club and Boy’s Dance Company are some of the programmes that are available for students that wish to build and improve on their craft.

Head of Creative Arts and Technology

Gwen Frye  |  gfrye@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk 

Subject Leader

Jordan Williams  |  jwilliams@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk

Teachers

Sean Osinlaru  |  sosinlaru@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk

Marita Young  |  myoung@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk

Curriculum Intent and Map

 KS3-KS5 Dance - Creative Arts Curriculum 2024-25

Curriculum

KS3

Dance is taught  in Y7, Y8 and Y9 using a wide range of styles, professional works and choreographers. Students learn performance, choreographic and appreciation skills.

We also offer a dance enrichment programme to provide those pupils with the opportunity to further their skills and interest in the subject. Dance enrichment classes also run at lunchtime and after school and are well attended to challenge and develop students who are aiming to continue dance at KS4 and KS5.

Y7       

Autumn term 1: Actions in Dance – Cartoon Capers

Autumn term 2: Elements of Space - Nutcracker

Spring term 1 and 2: Dynamics - Puppets, Robots and Toys

Summer term 1: Choreography – Spies and Secret Agents

Summer term 2: Choreography – Graffiti

Y8

Autumn term 1: African Dance – Gumboot and Traditional African Dance

Autumn term 2: Jazz Dance – West Side Story

Spring term 1: Characterisation – London Life

Spring term 2: Classical Indian and Bollywood Dance

Summer term 1: Street Dance Evolution

Summer term 2: A Linha Curva – Brazilian, Capoeira and Contemporary Dance

Y9 

Term 1: Mash Up Dance - Developing Skills for Live Performance

Term 2: Contemporary Dance – Swansong / Shadows

Term 3: Choreography - Metamorphosis

Medium Term Plans

Suggested reading

• Ashley, L., Essential Guide to Dance 3rd Edition, Hodder Education, 2008 (ISBN 978-0-340-96838-3)
• Au, S., Ballet and Modern Dance, Thames and Hodder Ltd, 2002, (ISBN 978-0-500-20352-1)
• Bremner, M.and Sanders, L., Fifty Contemporary Choreographers, Routledge, 2011, (ISBN 978-0-415-38082-9)

Things to see and do

Please see the website of Sadler’s Wells Theatre and the Southbank Centre for  information on shows and events.

Extra-curricular activities and clubs

• Burghley Youth Dance Company
• Girl's Dance Company
• Boy’s Dance Company

An interactive workshop by James Cousins Dance Company

KS4

GCSE Dance focuses on the aesthetic and artistic qualities of dance and the use of movement to express and communicate ideas and concepts through the interrelated processes of performance, choreography and appreciation.

The course is 60% practical and 40% theoretical and pupils study six professional works as part of a dance anthology. The anthology's mix of artistic, cultural and aesthetically diverse works, has been selected by the AQA exam board to broaden students' knowledge and understanding of the wide range of dance choreographed and performed in the United Kingdom today.

Y10     

Autumn term 1
Practical: Set Phrase - Shift
Theory: Emancipation of Expressionism and safe practice

Autumn term 2
Practical: Choreography responding to a stimulus
Theory: Artificial things

Spring term 1
Practical: Performance in a group
Theory: Shadows

Spring term 2
Practical: Performance in a group
Theory: Infra

Summer term 1
Practical: Set Phrase - Breathe
Theory: Section B - Performance Skills

Summer term 2
Practical: Performance in a Duo/Trio
Theory: Exam Prep

Y11     

Autumn term 1
Practical: Set Phrase Practical Exam
Theory: Section C - James Cousins - Within Her Eyes

Autumn term 2
Practical: Choreography workshops
Theory: Section B - writing about own performance and choreography

Spring term 1
Practical: Choreography exam – response to a stimulus
Theory: Section A: Hypothetical choreography exam revision

Spring term 2
Practical: Choreography exam – response to a stimulus
Theory: Section C: Rambert Dance Company - A Linha Curva

Summer term 1
Practical: exam showcase.
Theory: Preparation for the written exam
Written exam questions and revision techniques

Medium Term Plans

There are no documents to display at present.

GCSE and BTEC Subject Specification 

Please click through to the links to view more information on the AQA and Edexcel website.

Dance - AQA Exam Board 

Y11 Revision

• A Linha Curva fact file
• Artificial things fact file
• Emancipation of E fact file
• Infra fact file
• Shadows fact file
• Within Her Eyes fact file

GCSE Dance Anthology Videos and Interviews

Emancipation of Expressionism by Boy Blue

Emancipation of Expressionism Interview

 A Linha Curva

A Linha Curva Interview

Shadows

Shadows interview

Infra

Infra Interview

Artificial Things

 Artificial Things Interview

Within Her Eyes

Within Her Eyes Interview

Suggested reading

• Ashley, L., Essential Guide to Dance 3rd Edition, Hodder Education, 2008 (ISBN 978-0-340-96838-3)
• Au, S., Ballet and Modern Dance, Thames and Hodder Ltd, 2002, (ISBN 978-0-500-20352-1)
• Bremner, M.and Sanders, L., Fifty Contemporary Choreographers, Routledge, 2011, (ISBN 978-0-415-38082-9)

Things to see and do

Please see the website of Sadler’s Wells Theatre and the Southbank Centre for  information on shows and events.

Extra-curricular activities and clubs

• KS3 Dance Club
• Burghley Youth Dance Company
• Boy’s Dance Company

KS5

The Dance A level course provides the students with a full range of dance techniques, training, choreography and performance opportunities.

Within the A level specification- knowledge, understanding and skills will be developed and demonstrated within performance, choreography and critical engagement with the study of professional repertoire located within specific areas of study.