Dance
Our curriculum intent
In Dance, students will learn how work is undertaken in the performance industry across a variety of performing arts disciplines. Students will learn about performance, production and promotional roles across disciplines and the national organisations which relate to employment in the performance industry. They will learn how the skills and qualities that are required to work both in performance and technical roles are applied to rehearsal, production planning and live performance.
As part of the synoptic project, students will learn how to apply performance and production skills in developing a performance. They will be able to work in performance, pre-production and production roles to meet a given performance event brief, and will learn how to understand planning, development, documentation and evaluation of production activities, showing creative and technical skills in response to a brief.
What this looks like in practice
In Year 9, students will experience Dance as part of a rotation of subjects across the academic year. In Key Stage 4, students can select Dance as an option subject beginning in Year 10. We currently offer the NCFE Level 1/2 Teachnical Award in Performance Skills: Dance Pathway (QN 603/2960/9).
This qualification is part of a suite of technical award qualifications that have been developed to meet the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) requirements for high-quality, rigorous qualifications which:
- have appropriate content for the learner to acquire core knowledge and practical skills
- allow the qualification to be graded
- provide synoptic assessment
- enable progression to a range of study and employment opportunities.
The course is divided into two components and cilminates in a 1 hour 30 minutes external assessment. Unit 1 (40%) is an externally assessed written exam whilst Unit 2 (60%) is an internally assessed synoptic project which is later quality assured externally.
To achieve the NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Performance Skills, students must successfully demonstrate their achievement of all learning outcomes of the units as detailed in this qualification specification. Students must also achieve a minimum of a Level 1 Pass in the internal and external assessment to achieve the overall qualification.
Curriculum overview
Detailed information about the curriculum for each year group can be found in the document below.
Curriculum Map - Performance Skills (Dance) 2022.pdf
Subject Leader Self-Reflection - Performance Skills (Dance).pdf
Entry guidance
There are no specific recommended prior learning requirements for this qualification.
This qualification has been developed for students aged 14-16 in schools and colleges but is also accessible for post-16 students.
It is a vocational qualification equivalent to GCSE grades 8.5–1.
Centres are responsible for ensuring that this qualification is appropriate for the age and ability of students. They need to make sure that students can fulfil the requirements of the learning outcomes and comply with the relevant literacy, numeracy, and health and safety aspects of the qualification.
This Level 1/2 qualification is appropriate for students who are looking to develop a significant core of knowledge and understanding and know how to apply these needed qualities to the performance skills sector.
Who is this qualification for?
This qualification is designed for learners who want an introduction to performance that includes a vocational and project-based element.
The qualification will appeal to learners who wish to pursue a career in the Performance sector or progress onto further study.
The NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Performance Skills complements GCSE qualifications. It is aimed at 14-16 year olds studying Key Stage 4 curriculum who are interested in performance industry sector. This qualification is designed to match the rigour and challenge of GCSE study. The qualification is graded Level 1 Pass/Merit/Distinction/Distinction* and Level 2 Pass/Merit/Distinction/Distinction* (equivalent to GCSE grades 8.5–1).
This Level 1/2 qualification is appropriate for learners who are looking to develop a significant core knowledge and understanding of performance skills and be able to apply their learning.
This qualification has been designed to sit alongside the requirements of core GCSE subjects and is appropriate for learners who are motivated and challenged by learning through hands-on experiences and through content which is concrete and directly related to those experiences.
It is distinct from GCSE Drama, GCSE Music and GCSE Dance, as it encourages the learner to use knowledge and practical tools to focus on supporting people across a range of performance disciplines.
The study of performance skills involves understanding development as a performer, the performance industry, production and promotional roles, development of events, and the staging of a performance.
The qualification focuses on an applied study of the performance industry and learners will gain a broad understanding and knowledge of working in the sector.
What will the learner study as part of this qualification?
This qualification shows learners how to:
- understand how work is undertaken in the performance industry across a variety of disciplines
- understand performance, production and promotional roles across disciplines
- explore skills and qualities required to work in performance and technical roles
- apply performance and production skills in developing a performance
- work in performance, pre-production and production roles
- show creative and technical skills in response to a brief.
The performance skills disciplines that a learner will study within the qualification include:
- Actor
- Singer
- Dancer
- Musician
- Musical Theatre Performer.
What knowledge and skills will the learner develop as part of this qualification and how might these be of use and value in further studies?
Learners will develop skills and knowledge:
- in adapting their own ideas and responding to feedback
- in evaluating their own work
- in applying technical and creative processes that are essential for the Performance sector, such as presentation skills; team working; independent working; working to deadlines; and efficient use of resources.
The knowledge and skills gained will provide a secure foundation for careers in the performance industry.
Learners who achieve at Level 2 might consider progression to Level 3 qualifications post-16 such as:
- Level 3 Applied General in Music Technology. This qualification prepares learners for progression to higher education in the performance sector.
- Level 3 Technical Level in Performing Arts. This qualification prepares learners for progression into employment or onto an Apprenticeship through specialising in a technical occupation in the performance skills sector. Technical Level qualifications provide post-16 learners with the knowledge and skills they need for skilled employment or for further technical study.
- A Level in Performing Arts. This will support progression to higher education.
- Learners could also progress into employment or onto an Apprenticeship.
The understanding and skills gained through this qualification could be useful to progress onto an Apprenticeship in the performance sector through a variety of occupations such as a Production Assistant, Creative Venue Technician or Assistant Technical Director.