GCSE | Dance – Leighton Park

GCSE in Dance

Exam Board: AQA
Syllabus Code: 8236

 

GCSE Dance focuses on the aesthetic and artistic qualities of contemporary dance and the symbolic use of movement to express and communicate ideas. It develops technical and expressive skills alongside knowledge and understanding of dance performance, choreography and critical appreciation. Dance is a powerful and empowering form of non-verbal communication and it is both physical and expressive, which makes it similar to and different from other art forms and physical activities. Dance develops creative, imaginative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacities. Students of Dance must have a genuine passion for the subject, be reliable, committed and enthusiastic. Dance is a very demanding subject; it requires students to work their bodies hard and also to think deeply and clearly. They must be willing to work with others and persevere when tasks are challenging.

They will be expected to rehearse independently in their own time.

 

Clear progression to A Level, higher education and beyond

This course will provide students with the skills and experience to better prepare them for the demands of A Level if they choose to progress with their study.

 

The GCSE Dance Anthology

The anthology consists of six short professional dance works each between 12 and 30 minutes duration. The anthology’s mix of artistic, cultural and aesthetically diverse works, has been selected to broaden students’ knowledge and understanding of the wide range of dance choreographed and performed in the United Kingdom today.

 

Assessment

Component 1: Performance and Choreography – Practical Coursework – 60% weighting

  • Solo performance – 2 prescribed set phrases which need to be performed accurately, demonstrating physical technical and expressive skill.
  • 12 marks (9% of the GCSE Grade)
  • Duet or trio performance – A set duet or trio dance demonstrating physical, technical skill, expressive skill in the context of an ensemble, which will explore the 2 remaining prescribed set phrases. This dance will last for 3-5 minutes.
  • 24 marks (18% of the GCSE Grade)
  • Solo or Group Choreography – A dance created in response to a specific stimulus question prescribed by the exam board. Candidates can choose to dance in it or choose other dancers. This dance must last 2 – 2 ½ minutes for a solo and 3 – 3 ½ minutes for a group.
  • 40 marks (30% of the GCSE grade)
  • Mental skills: commitment, confidence, concentration, movement memory, capacity to improve and respond to feedback, rehearsal
  • 4 marks (3% of the GCSE Grade)

All of component 1 is internally examined and externally moderated.

Component 2: Dance Appreciation – 1 ½ hours written examination – 40% weighting

  • Section A: choreographic and performance-based questions
  • Section B: appreciation of students’ own work; personal reflection
  • Section C: critical appreciation of 6 professional works prescribed by AQA

 

If you have any queries about this course, please contact Head of Department: Beth Butler.

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