Course Overview
The GCSE in Dance is a part-time course designed for students interested in developing their skills in three main core dance areas: performance, choreography, and appreciation.
This specification recognises the role of dance in young people’s lives and focuses on the aesthetic and artistic qualities of dance, and the symbolic use of movement to express and communicate ideas and concepts through the interrelated processes of performance, choreography, and appreciation.
Neath College is delighted to offer the GCSE Dance qualification to pupils in Year 9, Year 10, and Year 11. The 1-year intensive course is delivered over one academic year during an intensive weekly twilight session.
The course is designed to inspire, challenge, and motivate every student, no matter what their level of ability, while supporting in development of creative and engaging lessons.
The aim is to bridge the gap between GCSE, AS and A Level Dance, giving students the skills and experience to better prepare themselves for the demands of AS and A Level if they choose to progress with the study of Dance in Further Education.
Current and previous students have taken part and have committed to the extra-curricular dance activities that are set up by Neath College Dance in association with LIFT Dance Company/Academy, Christmas Dance Production, and Summer Dance Festival.
There are also opportunities throughout the year to audition and train with the National Youth Dance Company and National Dance Company Wales Associates as a young dancer in Wales.
If you feel that you are ready to start your dance journey, develop your dance skills and learn in an inspiring, challenging, and supportive environment, then this GCSE in Dance is one for you!
Dance is a powerful and expressive subject which encourages students to develop their creative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacity, whatever their previous experience in the subject.
A commitment to and engagement of the extra-curricular dance activities at college in association with LIFT Dance Company/Academy, Christmas Dance Production and Summer Dance Festival is mandatory.
The GCSE Dance qualification will give you the skills and experience to better prepare yourself for the demands of AS and A Level and Level 3 vocational qualifications
There are three main areas:
• Performance
• Choreography
• Dance Appreciation
The practical component of the course enables students to study dance by ‘doing’, and the anthology of professional works will provide a springboard for the development of creative and engaging practical tasks. The study of the anthology will facilitate the development of students’ skills in performance and choreography as well as broaden their knowledge and understanding of dance and their ability to critically appraise dances of different styles and cultural influences.
At the end of the academic year, all work will be formally assessed in these three areas by the AQA Exam Board.
Component 1: Performance and Choreography
Performance
• Set phrases through a solo performance (approximately one minute in duration) set by the AQA Exam Board.
• Duet/trio performance (three minutes in a dance which is a maximum of five minutes in duration) choreographed by teacher(s), dance artist(s) or by collaboration between teacher(s) and/or dance artist(s).
Choreography
• Solo or group choreography – a solo (two to two and a half minutes) or a group dance for two to five dancers (three to three and a half minutes).
Component 2: Dance appreciation
Based on students' own practice in performance and choreography, and the GCSE Dance anthology.
• Knowledge and understanding of choreographic processes and performing skills.
• Critical appreciation of own work.
• Critical appreciation of professional works.
The course is run via weekly taught sessions that are heavily centred around practical performance and written components that are based on the AQA Exam Board.
All assessments are based on the AQA Exam Board Specification for GCSE Dance.
All work is internally marked and externally moderated.
Breakdown of assessment:
Component 1: Performance and Choreography
Performance
30% of GCSE
40 marks
Choreography
30% of GCSE
40 marks
Practical Total Component = 60%
Non-exam assessment (NEA) marked by the Centre and moderated by AQA.
Component 2: Dance Appreciation
40% of GCSE
Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
80 marks
Theory Total Component = 40%
The written exam is marked by the AQA Exam Board.
No course fees. There will be additional course-related costs for dance workshops, dance uniform, costumes, and educational dance visits/shows.
