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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, Manchester, African Dance, using Art as a stimulus 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, Street Dance, Indian Dance and the professional Dance Work Within Her Eyes by James Cousins.

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 dance A Linha Curva by Itzik Galili, the poem My Name Is Cocaine, and Stomp!

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.