Course Content: AQA Dance A Level
A Level Dance
A Level Dance Examination – 50% Practical and 50% Theory
Students will develop knowledge, understanding and experience of performance, choreography and appreciation of dance as an art form (this will be achieved through exploring and making connections between theory and practice, critically engaging in the analysis of own work and that of professional repertoire, leading to a holistic approach to the study of the subject. The students will gain the necessary skills as a performer through the areas of technical training and performance development. The students will develop skills as a choreographer through further experimentation and application of choreographic and structuring device. The students will develop skills to engage in critical enquiry about the art form through the areas of written communication, reflection, analysis and evaluation
Subject Specific Skills
In A Level Dance lessons, students are expected to demonstrate a range of skills. In addition, there are core theory skills which we expect students to develop and apply to their theory and practical lessons:
- Developing knowledge and understanding of physical/technical skills
- Developing awareness of safe practice
- Study of performance and choreography
- To translate their dance ideas into choreography, students must develop and apply practical knowledge and understanding of the choreographic processes
- Develop understanding of dynamic and spatial elements
- Interpretative/performance skills in order to communicate a dance idea
- Developing subject specific knowledge/terminology
- Applying their theory knowledge to examination questions
- To critically engage with both their own practice to inform their knowledge and understanding of professional practice
- To understand the interrelationship between the creation, presentation and viewing/appreciation of dance
- Extended writing skills with high quality of written communication (QWC)
Dance Resources
- Fifty Contemporary Choreographers edited by Martha Bremser
- Akram Khan’s Rush: Creative Insights by Lorna Sanders
- PLCS
Assessment in A Level Dance
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
- Practical exam – 80 marks worth 50%
Component 2: Critical Engagement
What’s assessed:
- Knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of two set works
- One compulsory set work (Rooster by Christopher Bruce) within the compulsory area of study Rambert Dance Company 1966-2002
- One optional set work (Sutra by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui) within the corresponding area of study, from a choice of four (Independent Contemporary Dance in Britain 2000-present
How it’s assessed:
- Written exam 2 hours 30 minutes – 100 marks worth 50%
Questions: Two Sections
- Section A: short answer questions (25 marks) and one essay question (25 marks) on the compulsory set work/area of study
- Section B: two essay questions on the second set work/area of study (25 marks for each essay)
At the end of each term the students will be assessed on the components they have been working on. The students are given grades according to the exam criteria. The Evening of Dance is treated as MOCK exam where the students will be given a grade for their practical work.
The written exam takes place in May or June of the exam year for both year 12 and 13.
All students will sit MOCK exams at the end of each term to prepare them for the actual exam of that year.
Setting in A Level Dance
As this is an Option Block, there is no setting for A Level Dance and all students at all levels work within the same groups. This is supported through carefully differentiated delivery of the curriculum.
Homework
To include:
- Homework is set in line with the School Homework Policy
- Due to the nature of the assessments at A level, the Dance Department sets an on-going practical homework throughout years 12 and 13 where students are expected to regularly record and video their practical evidence
- Theory homework typically includes development of performance and choreography work, logging the choreography process in a provided journal, practice exam questions, consolidation homework and flipped learning work
- In addition, there is a high level of expectation that students attend Period 6 LEAP activities and external dance classes in order to maintain and improve technique
- It is expected that students watch live dance as frequently as possible
- Students are also expected to experience performance opportunities as often as possible to improve confidence and expressive skills in preparation for examinations
Supporting Your Son/Daughter in A Level Dance
- Encourage attendance to the Period 6 LEAP period 6 activities and external Dance classes
- Support your son/daughter in collecting and submitting regular video evidence of their practical performance
- To attend the theatre regularly to watch live dance
- Encourage wider reading around the subject
- Making sure that your son/daughter has the correct kit and equipment for her lessons
- Share your Dance enthusiasm with your son/daughter
- Encourage healthy eating and an active lifestyle
