It is therefore both a practical AND theoretical subject so you will need to want to dance practically AND write.

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2 The GCSE dance course covers three main areas of: - Performing dances (both solo and groups) - Choreographing dances (making up your own dances) - Appreciating (writing about) dances It is therefore both a practical AND theoretical subject so you will need to want to dance practically AND write.

3 THEORY Through workbooks/worksheets you will learn about: - Dance terminology (words) - Dance safe practice (warm-ups, injury prevention, health and fitness etc) - What makes a good performer, including the skills required and what these skills mean - How to choreograph and structure a dance - How to analyse dances on video, as well as your own work and that of your classmates

4 PRACTICAL Through practical classes you will study: - Taster sessions in a range of styles but focused on contemporary dance - Solo contemporary dance performance - Group contemporary dance performance - Learning bits of choreography from professional pieces - Where possible, workshops with professionals N.B/The course is based in contemporary dance (like lyrical but with more floor work and lifting work). We do not do street dance.

5 You will have one written exam that lasts one hour at the end of year 11, this is worth 20% of your GCSE There is no written coursework You will complete a solo choreography piece at the end of year 10, worth 15% of your GCSE You will complete a group performance piece in year 10, worth 20% of your GCSE In year 11 you will learn a solo, worth 20% You will then complete another longer choreography piece, this one worth 25%

6 You will often have lessons that are a mixture of theory and practical, as well as lessons that are just theory or just practical You will normally have one theory and one practical lesson per week Occasionally you may have to do a double theory lesson in one week, especially near the written exam in year 11 However many times near practical exams you ll also have double practical lessons SO..you have to be prepared to enjoy both practical and theory

7 An average theory lesson may involve the following: - Reading information about a particular choreographer and a piece of work, including understanding what the piece is about - Watching a DVD of that work - Answering questions in a booklet about what you have just watched, with the help of a partner - Class and group discussions about the piece, including evaluations and sharing your own opinion

8 An average practical lesson may involve the following: - Following a teacher warm-up or doing your own with a partner - Learning dance material in either solo or group form - Creating your own dance material, either in addition to what the teacher has taught you or spending the whole lesson working on your own material - SO..you have to have independent skills and be prepared to work on your own ideas, as well as being prepared to work in groups

9 You love dancing You are interested in learning a different style of dance than the ones that you probably do already You are happy to perform in front of others on your own and as part of a group (don t worry though we wont make you do this on your first lesson ) You like being creative and coming up with your own ideas You are interested in learning about dance (including writing) as well as dancing practically You re prepared to attend rehearsals outside of lesson times

10 You are too nervous to perform in front of other people You are not prepared to work with a range of people in different groups You can t manage your own time well when working independently You just want to get taught dances and don t want to make up your own You don t want to write You only want to do street/urban/break dance You re not prepared to do after school/lunchtime practices this is essential to get really good grades

11 There aren t really any costs that you need to be aware of You can wear any dance wear (jogging bottoms, leggings, t.shirts etc) for lessons so you don t need to buy anything specific Contemporary dance is danced in bare feet so you wont need any dance shoes You wont need any text books, as we make booklets for you All you may need is money for dance trips (one or two a year) if you want to come, it s not essential