Our dance curriculum centres around performance, choreography and appreciation. Good technique is important as a dancer, so we work through these principles alongside fostering a love for dance through performing and choreographing. Learning to perform dance will create the foundations for choreography, exploring their individual creativity through movement. In addition, we encourage pupils to enhance their overall fitness by keeping an active lifestyle which dance helps to promote. 

Through Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils learn and explore various dance styles, including contemporary and musical theatre. We teach the principles of good dance technique to ensure all pupils are learning to dance safely. By the end of primary, pupils are confident dancers who can choreograph from a range of dance styles independently and in groups.

In Key Stage 3 pupils are given the opportunity to further secure the foundation of Performing Arts education based on the knowledge learnt in primary school. Key Stage 3 (Year 7 to 9) pupils are taught dance through schemes of work within the drama curriculum teaching allocation, in addition to the performing arts carousel in Year 9. Alongside the carousel in Year 9, pupils have the opportunity to dedicate more curriculum time through a subject preference, which includes dance. Pupils continue to explore dance through a range of topics that puts performance at the forefront of everything they do. Alongside the focus on dancing practically, pupils are introduced to production roles within dance/theatre, encompassing the knowledge of the whole industry - backstage and onstage - whether it be through lighting, set, sound or costume design.

In Key Stage 4 we aim to allow learners to refine their understanding and knowledge of dance based on prior learning; its culture, background and influences. Key Stage 4 serves to promote leadership and independence that will support them to further their learning. At Key Stage 4 pupils follow the Pearson specification for BTEC Performing Arts Level 1/2 Award - Dance Pathway.

 

Year Group Content

In year 1, pupils will be able to tell stories through simple actions and movement, with ensemble speaking in drama and dance.

Through dance, pupils will continue to build their choreographic knowledge by creating simple movements in groups and perform this alongside taught movement phrases beginning to understand how to show different dynamic qualities in movement (soft/hard, fast/slow)

Through musical theatre storytelling, pupils will showcase their knowledge of the storyline of The Lion King to portray the key moments of the story through dance. Using their ability to create and learn dance material, they will showcase characterisation through movement and facial expressions - in addition to performing confidently with dynamics.

In year 4, pupils will be able to use actions and dynamics to show being a warrior through dance and tell the story. Through the space they will demonstrate an ability to create formations, dance in canon/unison with each other and show expression.

In year 5, pupils will also use their knowledge from the scripted drama, Matilda the Musical, to perform dance from the musical numbers - pupils become more confident in choreographing larger sections of dance works and area able to use the technique to perform dance safely.

In year 6, pupils create and learn dance pieces from the musical Aladdin, applying dance terms and vocabulary to their practical and theory work. They will combine their knowledge of performing and telling stories from all 3 subjects and showcase this in their Aladdin dance work.

 

In dance, Year 7 will create and replicate movement that is appropriate to the dance stimuli given and explored. Pupils will be able to select a variety of skills, techniques and compositional ideas and begin to apply them to choreography. At the end of the year, pupils will be able to successfully build a good standard of dance technique which is performed with confidence and imagination.

In dance, Year 8 will create and replicate movement that is appropriate to the dance stimuli given and explored. Through using their drama skills, pupils will be able to tell a story through dance movement. Pupils will be confident in selecting a variety of skills, techniques and compositional ideas and begin to apply them to choreography. At the end of the year, pupils will be able to successfully sustain a good standard of dance technique which is performed with confidence and imagination.

Preference Subject

In dance, pupils refine their performance skills built over previous years and begin to become individual dancers through more intensive technique training. Through exploring a variety of dance works and styles, pupils will learn to appreciate the diverse range of movement and performance in the dance world and see how these connect communities together and tell stories. Pupils will analyse and critique their own dance work and that of others (professionally or in class) to improve their understanding of dance technique and performance, resulting in the refinement of their own key dance skills. Exploring professional dance works will mean pupils become more motivated in choreography, taking inspiration from others to create their own work that can be presented and performed either in groups or as a solo.

Dance consists of two parts. By exploring the work of dance practitioners and the practices used to create dance performances, pupils will deepen their understanding of the dance and the wider performing arts. In order to comprehend the demands of being a dancer across at least three performances and performance styles, pupils will obtain a wide awareness of performance work and influences. In addition, by performing dance and/or musical theatre repertoire as performers, pupils will hone their performance talents and methods. To perform as a dancer, one must put skills, techniques, and practises to use that help pupils create and understand performance work.

The development of children's artistic and cultural awareness supports their imagination and creativity. Children have regular opportunities to engage with the arts, enabling them to explore and play a wide range of media and materials. 

Dance is taught as part of our PE curriculum. We have a movement area which offers the opportunity during continuous provision for the children to access dance activities. Dance also features as part of our Music Shed activities to support imagination and creativity.