Our schools

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

Throughout Key Stage 3, Dance is part of the PE National Curriculum. At AGGS, pupils have Dance two lessons per ten day 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 cross-curricular activities 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 February. For more information, please see the extra-curriclar section.

Extra Curricular

Dance Clubs are led by Mrs Anstey, Miss Denning or by Year 11, 12, 13 workshop leaders. 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.

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: Secret Agents, Virtual Reality, African Dance and the professional dance work – ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café by David Bintley.

Year 8 – In Year 8, pupils continue to develop their choreography, performance and analysing skills. Topics studied in Year 8 include: Contact Work, Cogs, Parkour, Street Dance, Indian Dance and the professioanl Dance Work The Car Man 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: Ghost Dances, Nutcracker!, My Name Is Cocaine, Stomp and Swansong.

Key Stage 4 – GCSE

GCSE Dance follows the AQA specification of Dance.

• Unit 1: Critical Appreciation of Dance 20% – This is a one hour written paper where pupils will have to analyse 2 professional dance works.

• Unit 2: Set Dance 20% – Pupils learn a solo dance that has been choreographed by the exam board. They are marked on their technical performance skills.

• Unit 3: Performance in a Group 20% – Pupils perform a dance in small groups of 4 or 5. The dance is created by the teacher and pupils and is based on a professional dance work. Pupils are marked on their performance skills including sensitivity to other dancers.

• Unit 4: Choreography 40%. This unit is divided into two tasks.
  • Task 1: Solo composition 15%. Pupils are taught 3 motifs from a professional work and have to develop them to create a short solo.
  • Task 2: Choreography 25% Pupils create a solo or group dance on a topic of their choice. They are marked on their choreographic skills.