Overview
Dance at St Marylebone helps students to develop their creative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacities, through the study of dance performance, choreography and appreciation. Teachers have a strong passion for dance and aim to ignite and inspire that passion in students, encouraging them to be confident and independent creative thinkers, and allowing them to explore their creativity and artistic skills in a supportive way. There is an extensive range of extracurricular opportunities available for students, including lunchtime and after school clubs, twice-yearly sell-out dance shows, and GCSE and A Level Exam Showcases. We have built excellent links with leading dance companies, practitioners, and conservatories including Rambert, The Place, Trinity Laban, Richard Alston Dance Company, and Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, regularly hosting performances and participating in workshops and projects with them.
Key Stage 4 GCSE. Years 10-11
Why Choose Dance?
GCSE Dance is the option for you if you:
- Have enjoyed Dance at KS3.
- Have a passion for dance, new ideas and innovation.
- Want to improve your confidence, creativity, team working skills and fitness level.
- Like performing and enjoy experiencing a range of dance styles and genres.
- Like watching dances, giving your own opinion and responding to other’s works.
- Love choreographing and communicating to an audience through this art form.
- Enjoy working with others and trying out new ways of moving and creating movements, including contact work.
- Want to participate in dance performances and go on theatre visits.
Course Content
COMPONENT 1: PERFORMANCE AND CHOREOGRAPHY
Performance
Solo performance of 2 Set Phrases
Trio performance
Choreography
A solo or a group dance for 2 to 5 dancers
COMPONENT 2: DANCE APPRECIATION
Written Exam
Knowledge and understanding of choreographic processes and performing skills
Critical appreciation of own work
Critical appreciation of professional works
Key Stage 5 A Level. Years 12-13
Examination Board: AQA
Units Taken: Component 1 and 2
Link to Specification: Click here.
Course Content
This course focuses on the development of own choreography, especially group dances. Performance skills are developed in a range of styles and demonstrated in a solo and a quartet. Candidates develop critical skills for the analysis of choreography in professional repertoire and learn about the development of dance as an art form.
Component 1:
Solo performance linked to a specified practitioner
Performance in a Quartet
Group Choreography
Component 2:
Knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of set works
Section A: Rooster and Rambert Dance Company
Section B: Sutra and Contemporary Dance in Britain
Skills Gained from Taking this Course
Choreographic, performance and analytical skills.
Dance technique and understanding of professional training.
Creative and artistic skills. Non-verbal communication skills and presentation skills. Physical skills including fitness. Team working skills and the ability to work independently.
St Marylebone Entry Requirements
To gain entry into the sixth form at St Marylebone School, students must gain a minimum of five 9-6 grades at GCSE and a 5 grade in English and Maths GCSE.
Subject Specific Entry Requirements
Grade 6 in Dance GCSE,
or
successful suitability test.
Entry Suggestions
Students wishing to undertake this qualification must be independent workers who are prepared to work outside the regular school hours to attend performances, rehearsals and events. All students must be fit and healthy and have high standards of attendance and punctuality.
If you are made an offer, you will be expected to complete the following before your first lesson in September:
Try to attend some Dance classes over the holidays. Carry out core exercises such as sit-ups 4 times a week and take part in a cardiovascular activity for at least 30 minutes 3 times a week.
Watch videos of Rambert Dance Company’s repertoire on the following links.
https://www.rambert.org.uk/explore/videos
http://www.rambert.org.uk/performances
Resources Needed for this Course:
Regular theatre trips @ around £10 per ticket.
