Course Content

AS Level

Module 1: Understanding Dance

In this unit students study dance based anatomy and physiology, safe studio practice, treatment of injuries and analysis of professional dance works. This is a theoretical unit with a written examination.

Module 2: Choreography and Performance

This is a practical unit which requires students to choreograph and perform a solo dance from a given stimuli and perform in a group dance which has been choreographed by the teacher or a visiting artist.

A2 Level

Module 3: Dance Appreciation: Content and Context

This is a theoretical unit which will involve an in-depth study of specified period of dance history chosen from American musical, ballet or modern dance, and detailed analysis of  two specific choreographers. There is a written examination at the end of this unit.

Module 4: Group Choreography and Solo Performance

Students also choreograph a group dance from a given stimuli, which they do not perform themselves.

Entry Requirements

For a four subject AS Level programme at ED6 you will need a minimum of five GCSEs at A* to C including English and Maths, or equivalent. To progress to A2 Level a minimum of grade D at AS Level is required.

Auditions (Dance)

Auditions will take place during the Spring term of Year 11. They are designed to assess your skill level and gather information about the way you work and interact with others. For example, a student who regularly performs in a dance troupe at weekends and has met the general entry requirements may be able to enrol on the AS Dance programme without having a formal qualification, if their performance standard merits it.

Dance and Drama are the only subjects where this route applies as they are primarily practical, but for the reasons above we would also recommend that even where students do have a formal qualification in either subject they still undertake the audition.

Entry is subject to a successful interview and it is useful to bring a portfolio of work with you to the interview. If you have been out of education for some time you may wish to consider the Access to Higher Education programme as an alternative to A Levels.

Assessment

This A Level contains a mixture of written and practical examinations and practical coursework. The course is practically based with one theory lesson per week. A Level Dance students can expect to take regular contemporary dance technique class, participate in choreographic workshops and improvisation classes, perform work as solos and as part of a group and receive regular classroom based tuition on dance theory.

• AS Level Module 1: 40% of total AS marks via a 1 hour 30 minutes written exam.
• AS Level Module 2: 60% of total AS marks via practical coursework.
• A2 Level Module 3: 50% of total A2 marks via a 1 hour 30 minutes written exam.
• A2 Level Module 4: 50% of total A2 marks via practical exam.

Progression

Dance can be studied at university at undergraduate and postgraduate level, as a single discipline or as part of a combined degree with a vast range of subjects. Dance degrees have increased significantly in the last 10 years and the emphasis on creativity, personal effectiveness and preparation skills are useful in any career.

A Level Dance students can progress to university or professional dance training and go on to forge careers as professional dancers, West End performers, teachers, community dance artists and arts managers.