Dance
Welcome to the Dance Curriculum Area
Personnel
Mrs Duncan
Curriculum Manager for Dance and Teacher of KS3 and KS4 Dance
Miss Papagna
Teacher of KS3 Dance
Ethos
Our aim as a department is to deliver an energetic, engaging and challenging curriculum through a creative, skills based framework.
The Dance Curriculum has three strands: Performance (technical and interpretative skills), Choreography (the art of making dances) and Appreciation (the ability to describe, interpret and evaluate dances).
At KS3
We choreograph and perform dances using a range of stimuli and styles. We also study professional dance works linked to the stimulus/style.
Small groups of KS3 students have the opportunity to take part in the Ratton dance Outreach programme to local Primary schools.
At KS4
We follow the AQA GCSE Dance specification in which we build on the skills learned at KS3 and extend them through more detailed study.
GCSE involves studying the history and movement principles of Contemporary Dance, learning set studies, choreographing solos and group dances and detailed analysis of set professional works.
80% of the course is Practical Performance and Choreography with an accompanying essay.
20% is a Written Theory paper based on the set professional work, general dance theory and analysis.
Performance Spaces
We have a purpose built Dance studio with sprung floor, bars, mirrors and stage lighting. All KS4 and most KS3 lessons take place in the Dance studio with the Drama studio and the Hall also being used.
Extra Curricular
The Dance Department prides itself on the standard and range of opportunities available for all Year Groups in the form of regular Dance Evenings and involvement in school productions for public audiences. Weekly Dance lessons and clubs are held including the popular early morning Ballet class and after school Street/Hip-hop session. Small groups of KS3 students have the opportunity to take part in the Ratton dance Outreach programme to local Primary schools. Visits to see live professional Dance performances are arranged whenever possible and Days of Dance for KS4 students at conservatoires e.g. Laban, Royal Academy of Dance.
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