Dance

“Dance is a poem of which movement is a word” Mata Hari

Purpose

We believe that Dance at Heath Park empowers students with the opportunity for creative expression. We strongly believe that the subject brings breadth to our school curriculum and allows for rich and varied learning experiences. Dance can provide students with many benefits to help them grow in an inclusive environment.  

Celebrate diversity and different ethnic backgrounds.  
Promote resilience in learners, encouraging independence and problem-solving at every opportunity.  
Offer an inclusive environment where all students can develop a variety of cross-curricular skills.  
Offer an ‘extended’ curriculum that offers enrichment and extra-curricular activities. 
Promote a healthy lifestyle, encouraging participation in physical activity and nurturing talent. 
All students are encouraged to make progress through setting targets and receiving live feedback.  
Develop self-confidence and self-discipline, grow in self-esteem, and develop sensitivity to and respect for others.

Curriculum Features

The Dance curriculum intends that students come to lessons where they feel safe and cared for as well as providing them with fun and enjoyment.  Dance topics are of a wide variety of genres that explore diverse cultures, historical/ geographical contexts, and social backgrounds. This varied curriculum allows students to learn in a cross-curricular form, which helps students to develop their understanding of Dance as well as make links to other curriculum areas and the outside word.  

The Dance curriculum not only intends to develop students’ ability to dance and develop their fitness but also focuses on developing transferable skills such as

Teamwork
Leadership
Confidence
Critical thinking
Problem-solving

Our curriculum will enable students to take part regardless of his or her background. Dance topics are accessible to all but are still able to push the high ability and gifted learners. We intend to teach knowledge and skills in practical lessons with clever use of questioning to capture students’ curiosity of the subject. We believe that theoretical and practical understanding of the subject should be aligned, and each lesson is a development of the last. 

Key Stage 4

The KS4 Dance curriculum is also broad and is divided into performance, choreography, and analysis. The three-year course allows knowledge and basic skills to be developed in year 9 and students are provided performance opportunities to showcase these new skills. Students are drip-fed BTEC content in year 9 to develop their knowledge and skills early but not in a way to exhaust the subject content. Year 10 and 11 focuses on the delivery and assessment of Components 1,2 and 3. Throughout these components’ students: =-

Prove their aptitude in performing arts, such as reproducing repertoire and responding to stimuli
Underpin effective ways of working in the performing arts, such as development of ideas, rehearsal, and performance
Consider what is important in the performing arts, including personal management and communication
Effective use of skills, processes, and attitudes in the sector, such as roles, responsibilities, performance disciplines and styles

Our Dance curriculum is diverse and respectful to the wide variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds we have at Heath Park especially by the study of cultural dance such as Capoeira and Bollywood, as well the selection of professional choreographer such as Akram Khan, Zoonation and Jerome Robbins.

Key Stage 5  

Post 16 offers the opportunity to develop these skills further working with like-minded individuals with a focus on professional techniques and a deeper level of analysis.  Pearson BTEC L3 students complete four-units over the two-year course.  Students engage with Unit 1 – Investigating Practitioners, Unit 2 – Performance Skills, Unit 3 – Performance Group & Unit 22 – Movement. The learners can benefit from opportunities for deep learning where they are able to make connections among units and select areas of interest for detailed study. BTEC Nationals provide a vocational context in which learners can develop the knowledge and skills required for degree courses, including:  

Reading texts  
Extended writing  
Analytical skills  
Creative development  
Communication skills 
Collaborative skills  
Independence  
Preparation for assessment methods used in degree

Enrichment

We believe that Dance is for all, which is why we offer enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities in the form of afterschool clubs, workshops, and performances.  

Extra-Curricular