In A Level Dance, pupils will develop skills in performance, choreography and critical thinking, both in terms of their own practice and with regards to professional dance organisations and companies. Pupils must have a willingness to experiment with new practical techniques/styles and be open-minded about the diversity of dance and how to develop their own skills, fitness, practice techniques and performance skills.
Course description
The course is made up of 3 strands:
Performance: Students are asked to perform in solo and group context demonstrating their skills working with others as well as ability to engage an audience. They will aim to encapsulate the style of the chosen dance practitioner in solo form; then perform as part of a quartet demonstrating their connection with other performers on stage.
Choreography: Students will choreograph a group dance allowing them to develop their skills working with others, teaching peers, communicating effectively, translating appropriately a specific subject matter into movement and structuring performances cohesively.
Critical Engagement: Students will study the development of dance placed within an artistic and cultural context. Students are asked to focus on one area of study and one set professional work, this is to critically engage with dance and understand the interrelationship between the creation, presentation and viewing / appreciation of dance.
Assessments
Component 1: Performance and choreography
What’s assessed
• Solo performance linked to a specified practitioner within an area of study
• Performance in a quartet
• Group choreography
How it’s assessed
• Practical exam – 50% of A-level
Component 2: Critical engagement
What’s assessed
Knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of two set works.
• One compulsory set work within the compulsory area of study
• One optional set work within the corresponding area of study, from a choice of four.
How it’s assessed
• Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes – 50% of A-level
Requirements
Pupils should have some appropriate experience of dance or equivalent physically challenging activity either inside or outside the context of the school curriculum. This may or may not have been recognised by a formal qualification, but can be dance training (in any genre), martial arts, gymnastics, cheerleading etc. Pupils are not required to have taken GCSE Dance, though it could be an advantage. Where pupils have no previous qualification in Dance, the approval of the A Level Dance teacher may be required before they can enrol in the course.
Potential careers
The intrinsic value of dance is the development of creative, imaginative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacities. Students of Dance become well rounded individuals who can communicate their ideas clearly to others, have confidence to try something new, are creative and willing to offer ideas as well as being physical healthy with the ability to critique others appropriately. Journalism, nursing, business, performance, teaching, physiotherapy, events management, stage managing, technician roles, community worker, athletes and sports coaches are just some of the job roles supported by having the skills that A-Level Dance offers.
Contact for further information
Mrs CE Kenworthy: cek@wellingtoncollege.org.uk
Mrs CG Cooke : cgc@wellingtoncollege.org.uk
(Heads of Dance)
Specification
AQA SPECIFICATION: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/dance/as-and-a-level/dance-7236