Dance is a creative, physical subject where pupils have the unique opportunity to express themselves through movement.

Throughout Key Stage 3, pupils have Dance for two lessons per two week cycle, taught by a specialist Dance teacher. In lessons, pupils will develop their choreography, performance and analysis skills by studying a variety of topics including themes and professional dance works.

In Dance pupils can develop the transferable skills of communication, teamwork, confidence and creativity.

In Year 10, pupils have the opportunity to study Dance to GCSE level. The AQA GCSE Dance course studied provides students with the opportunity to study professional dance works and professional practice. It also provides students with opportunities to create, perform and analyse Dance in great depth.

Pupils are offered a huge amount of extra-curricular activities at AGGS, including clubs and workshops at lunchtimes and after school. All extra-curricular activities work towards creating dances for the annual Dance Production in winter and our whole school musical in the summer. For more information, please see the extra-curricular section.

Extra Curricular

Dance Clubs are led by Mrs Anstey and Mrs Collinson. Clubs and Workshops are working towards creating dances for the annual Dance Production at the Garrick Theatre, Altrincham. All clubs and workshops are held in the gym, unless otherwise stated.

Please note: Due to the building work, there is currently no space for dance clubs. Therefore all dance clubs will begin after October half-term, in our brand new Dance Studio!

Key Stage 3 – Year 7-9

Year 7 – In Year 7, pupils are introduced to the basic dance skills for choreographing, performing and analysing Dance. Topics studied in Year 7 include: Matilda, Manchester, Lindy Hop, using Art as a stimulus and the professional dance work – Swan Lake by Matthew Bourne.

Year 8 – In Year 8, pupils continue to develop their choreography, performance and analysing skills. Topics studied in Year 8 include: Bollywood Dance, an inter-form dance competition and the professional Dance Works Revelations by Alvin Ailey and Nutcracker! by Matthew Bourne.

Year 9 – In Year 9, pupils deepen their understanding of professional dance works and their choreography, performance and analysing skills. Topics studied in Year 9 include: The professional dances A Linha Curva by Itzik Galili and The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party by Kate Prince, Black Lives Matter, an inter-class dance competition and Romeo and Juliet

Key Stage 4 – GCSE

GCSE Dance follows the AQA specification of Dance.

Component 1: Performance and Choreography 60%

Performance 30%

• Solo Performance Perform 2 solo Set Phrases (Breathe / Flux / Shift / Scoop) Approximately 1 minute.
• Duet / Trio Performance Perform a dance created by teachers and students 3 – 5 minutes.

Choreography 30%

• Solo or Group Choreography Create a choreography using a stimulus from the exam paper Write a programme note (120-150 words) Solo 2 – 2.5 minutes. Group (2-5 dancers) 3 – 3.5 minutes.

Component 2: Dance Appreciation 40%

Written exam 40%

1.5 hours

• Section A: Knowledge and understanding of choreographic processes and performing skills
• Section B: Critical appreciation of own work
• Section C: Critical appreciation of professional works

GCSE Dance Anthology: Artificial Things, A Linha Curva, Infra, Shadows, Within Her Eyes, Emancipation of Expressionism.