Dance is taught as part of our KS3 curriculum here at St John’s. We believe that the study of Dance as a Performance Art contributes to students’ social, moral, cultural and spiritual development as well as promoting fitness and well-being throughout the lower years. We encourage students to develop their confidence, self-esteem and body awareness during lessons.

Specific tasks are provided to give students the opportunity to work safely and effectively as part of a team as well as show sensitivity towards others. We develop a knowledge and understanding of what makes an ‘effective’ and ‘successful’ performer, encouraging determination, creativity and the use of student imagination. When leading or directing others within lessons, students develop and show interpersonal and communication skills, make informed decisions about their own or others choreographies and articulate their knowledge, opinions and preferences.

Our Dance department is built on foundations of instilling creativity, imagination, determination and a ‘can do’ approach in every students, enabling them to become more rounded and confident members of the community.

Year 7 

Term 1: Introduction to dance

Students will explore the basic dance skills, including the 6 dance actions, timing and accuracy. Students will learn a set phrase where they can apply some of these skills and will have the opportunity to create and add their own movement to the sequence. Students will develop performance and the technical skills such as confidence, focus, co-ordination and musically throughout this unit.

Term 2: African

Students learn the basic techniques and movements of traditional African Dance.  Students are encouraged to look at similarities and differences between this and other styles of dance as well as learning a set sequence in the style. This unit of work focuses on the aesthetic and expressive qualities needed within a performance such as timing and rhythm, body language, focus and sense of style

Term 3: Jazz Dance

Within this unit, students will develop style specific technical skills such as co-ordination, stamina, musicality and control. Students will learn a set phrase of choreography which they will then develop using choreographic devices (Action, Space, Dynamics & Relationship) to create their group performance piece. 

Term 4: Nutcracker by Matthew Bourne

Throughout this unit students will explore the stylistic features and qualities of Matthew Bourne’s dance pieces. They will be provided with the opportunity to learn, develop and create their own material in response to the style, narrative and characters. Students will focus on performance & expressive skills such as confidence, musicality, use of dynamics and facial expression. This is a fast paced, energetic unit of work which requires students to work in small groups.

Terms 5 & 6: Big Dance

During terms 5 & 6 all KS3 students are involved in the ‘Big Dance’ performance which brings together the skills they have learnt across the year. This performance is a mash-up of songs and dance styles which allows students to revisit genres previously learnt throughout the year, as well as many others not yet explored. The ‘Big Dance’ final performance is a sponsored event, all money raised is presented to a charity close to the schools heart. This unit is fun filled, jam pack and extremely energetic, which encourages students to enjoy their learning and give back to the community. 

Assessment: 

At the end of each term students are required to produce a milestone performance from existing class material. During their performances, students will be graded on the 1-9 system alongside an attitude to learning grade which is monitored over the duration of the term. 

Year 8 

Term 1: Musicals – Newsies!

Students will explore the world of Musical Theatre and will learn a set phrase inspired by the West End routines, narrative and characters. They will have the opportunity to create and add their own movement to the sequence. Students will develop performance and technical skills such as confidence, focus, co-ordination and musicality as well as how to tell a story through movement within this unit. 

Term 2: Swansong

Students develop set repertoire from ‘Swansong,’ by Christopher Bruce. This piece focuses on human rights and links well with the RE curriculum. This unit of work focuses on the aesthetic and expressive qualities needed within a performance as well as the technical skills required in contact work. Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of how to take and give weight between each other, in groups and pairs. This unit of work also includes the use of props and requires students to use their imagination as well as explore their creativity. 

Term 3: Street Dance - Emancipation of Expression by Boy Blue

Within this unit, students will develop technical skills through style specific movements such freezes, the top rock and the six step. Students will develop their balance, co-ordination, stamina and control. All classes will learn a set phrase of choreography which they will then develop using choreographic devices (Action, Space, Dynamics & Relationship) to create their group performance piece.

Term 4: Rock & Roll

Throughout this unit students will explore the stylistic features and qualities of Rock & Roll Dance. They will be provided with the opportunity to learn, develop and create their own material in response to this style. Students will focus on performance & expressive skills such as confidence, musicality, use of dynamics and stamina. This is a fast paced, energetic unit of work which requires students to work in pairs and small groups.

Term 5 & 6: Big Dance

During terms 5 & 6 all KS3 students are involved in the ‘Big Dance’ performance which brings together the skills they have learnt across the year. This performance is a mash-up of songs and dance styles which allows students to revisit genres previously learnt throughout the year, as well as many others not yet explored. The ‘Big Dance’ final performance is a sponsored event, all money raised is presented to a charity close to the schools heart. This unit is fun filled, jam pack and extremely energetic, which encourages students to enjoy their learning and give back to the community.

Assessment 

At the end of each term students are required to produce a milestone performance steaming from existing class material. During their performances, students will be graded on the 1-9 system alongside an attitude to learning grade which is monitored over the duration of the term. 

What will I gain from studying Dance? 

Students will develop Dance specific skills revolving around creating choreography, performing to an audience and developing existing material. Alongside these skills, they will develop social and interpersonal skills such as communication, focus, problem solving and adaptability. 

Pathways this course can lead to 

BTEC level two in Performing Arts (Dance Pathway) 

AQA GCSE Dance 

Extra curricular opportunities 

School Musical 

Dance Club 

Musical Theatre Club 

Dance Company