Dance
Dance at Stanborough helps students develop technical and expressive skills as well as knowledge and understanding of dance through performance, choreography and appreciation of professional works. Students taking part in dance at Stanborough increase their confidence and self-esteem, employ the skills of problem solving and creativity as well as developing teamwork and leadership skills. We aim to offer a wide range of opportunities for dance students including performances in school productions, leading and participating in dance clubs and a range of trips to dance events throughout the year. The courses provide a solid foundation for a career in dance or performing arts and/or further studies in dance or performing arts, including BTEC Level 3 Dance.
What will students study?
In KS3:
During Years 7 and 8, students will study dance as part of their PE curriculum.
In Year 7 students are introduced to the six dance actions and apply them to set routines and their own choreography. Students develop a sense of rhythm and timing, will understand how to link the six actions together and apply basic performance skills to choreography. Students will understand what makes a successful performance and be able to comment on other’s performances.
In Year 8 students study the use of motifs in dance and how to communicate ideas and themes. Students will study the use of structure in dance and develop work using choreographic devices. They will develop confidence when performing in front of the class and will comment on each other’s work making improvements.
How can I support my child in this subject?
The best way to support your child for this subject is to help them go through phrases and motifs they have learnt. Where possible, it is important for students to see live performance and attend extra curricular dance within school and locally.
What equipment does my child need in this subject?
Students will need their PE kit including leggings. Students will be provided with an exercise book and coursework booklets for class and homework, but may on occasion need additional materials for homework tasks. Students may need to source their own costume items for performances.
Celebrating successes in this subject
Each year the school hires the Weston Auditorium to showcase the success of our dance students in a professional venue. Alongside this, dance students also have dance evenings held at school giving students the opportunity to perform in front of an audience There is also a House Dance competition which takes place during the start of the academic year.
Extra-Curricular Activities and Visits
Throughout the year students are given the opportunity to see a range of different professional dance performances in London. The most recent trip was to Sadlers Wells to see Rambert Dance perform works by Hofesh Shechter and Wayne McGregor.
