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.
Subject Leader Dance: Miss F Smith
Email: FSmith@stanborough.herts.sch.uk
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.
In KS4:
Students study the Level 2 RSL Creative and Performing Arts: Dance.
Students will study two units:
Unit 229 – Ensemble Dance Performance
Students will learn the range of technical and performance skills needed for a dancer, different dance styles and aspects of choreography. The student’s performances in dance productions and workshop performances will be assessed.
Unit 201 – Live Performance
This is an externally assessed unit which builds upon skills and technique from Unit 229. Students respond to a brief set by the exam board and create a performance of a 2 – 6 minute piece to a target audience.
In KS5:
BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts follows on from the Level 2 course, using a combination of assessment methods, both practical and written. The units focus on practical skills and techniques needed for dance as well as critical analysis and contextual understanding of practitioners work.
Over the two year course, students will complete two externally assessed units set by the exam board, as well as two internally assessed technique and choreography units. Performance work is assessed during dance productions and assessment evenings, with coursework being completed alongside this.
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; these are often assessment performances for the BTEC dance groups. 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.
Each year group has the opportunity to take part in dance clubs led by Key Stage 4 and 5 students. These pieces are performed at dance shows throughout the year.
