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Curriculum

Dance

Curriculum intent, implementation, and impact

About the subject

“Making dances is act of progress; an act of growth, an act of music, an act of teaching, an act of celebration, an act of joy.” Alivin Ailey

 

Dance is at the heart of HLC’s ethos, with all students studying it throughout KS3. Led by an experienced and passionate team of specialist teachers, our dance provision inspires creativity, confidence, and a love for performance. We are incredibly proud of our students, nurturing them to achieve their personal best in this performing arts discipline. The Dance Team aims to inspire a passion for the art form and engage students through practical and engaging lessons, exploring a wide range of dance styles and cultural traditions while developing confidence, teamwork, and self‑expression. Dance lessons take place in a safe and supportive environment, helping students to build resilience, self‑discipline, and wellbeing.

 

We encourage all students to further develop their skills through our extensive range of enrichment activities, offering numerous opportunities for students of all abilities to perform in various events.

 

The KS3 Dance curriculum provides students with the opportunity to develop creativity, confidence and physical skills through performance, choreography and appreciation of dance. Students explore a range of dance styles, techniques and cultural influences while learning how to communicate ideas and intentions through movement. Throughout KS3, students develop key skills such as coordination, balance, timing, flexibility and stamina, alongside important personal qualities including teamwork, resilience, discipline and self-expression. They learn how to create and perform movement phrases, work collaboratively with others, and evaluate their own work as well as professional performances.

Dance at KS3 encourages students to think creatively, take risks and build confidence in a supportive environment. It also promotes wellbeing through physical activity and provides opportunities for students to develop leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.

The KS4 Dance curriculum is delivered in line with the BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts (Dance) and provides students with the opportunity to develop practical performance skills, creativity and industry knowledge through vocational learning.

Students explore a range of dance styles and professional repertoire while developing technical ability and expressive performance skills. They learn how to rehearse effectively, respond to direction and work collaboratively as part of a group.

The course also develops students’ choreographic skills, enabling them to create and refine original performance work using stimulus material and creative intention. Alongside practical work, students study the performing arts industry, including roles, responsibilities and the processes involved in creating successful performances.

About the KS3 Curriculum intent, implementation, and impact

The Dance curriculum at HLC is designed to inspire a passion for the arts and enable students to recognise the value and relevance of dance within todays’ society. Within Dance, we foster an ethos of respect, commitment and creativity, creating a supportive environment where students feel confident to express themselves, take risks and develop their skills through structured practice and performance.  Emphasis is placed on active participation, enjoyment and collaboration, while also developing an understanding of safe practice, discipline and the physical demands of dance.

Students are introduced to fundamental technical skills and the key elements of dance, including action, space, dynamics and relationships. These are explored through the three core strands of performing, creating and appreciating Dance. Students learn how to perform with control, accuracy and expression, create original choreography in response to stimuli, and analyse their own work alongside professional repertoire. These strands provide the foundation for future study and progression into the qualifications undertaken at Key Stage 4

In Year 7, students arrive with a wide range of prior experiences in the Performing Arts from KS2. Some may have encountered dance through primary school lessons, after-school clubs, or group performances, while others may have developed their skills through private dance classes or performance opportunities. These varied starting points are recognised and built upon within our curriculum.

At KS3, Dance lessons introduce students to the historical, cultural and social contexts of a variety of dance styles, enabling them to understand the key characteristics that define each genre. In Year 7, students focus on developing core dance knowledge and fundamental practical skills. They apply these skills to performance work while beginning to explore choreography and developing their ability to appreciate and evaluate dance.

In Year 8, students broaden their experience by studying styles such as Street Dance and Musical Theatre. They explore the techniques, performance qualities and stylistic features that make each style distinctive. This provides an important foundation for KS4, where students are expected to perform and choreograph within specific dance styles.

By Year 9, students build on the knowledge and skills gained in previous years, refining their physical, technical and interpretative abilities. They also deepen their understanding of a wider range of dance styles through the study of professional works, preparing them for more advanced study and performance opportunities. These include the work of the popular street dance company Diversity and the renowned contemporary dance company Rambert.

Throughout KS3, students regularly create and perform work in groups, developing communication, teamwork and leadership skills. Through schemes of learning such as Working as an Ensemble, World Dance, Musical Theatre and Exploring Professional Repertoire, students experience a broad and balanced curriculum. They learn how to use physical and expressive skills effectively to communicate ideas, emotions and intentions to an audience.

By the end of KS3, all students will have a secure understanding of Dance and the confidence to perform, create and evaluate work, providing a strong foundation for future study at KS4 and beyond. Students are able to work creatively both independently and collaboratively, using choreographic devices and techniques to create purposeful performances. Progress is assessed continuously, with most lessons culminating in a performance opportunity. These may include informal performances that allow for peer and self-assessment, or more formal teacher-led evaluations. Students’ knowledge is also assessed through formative methods such as questioning, voting, observation, and ongoing verbal feedback

Engagement with the Performing Arts will be demonstrated through strong participation in Key Stage 4 BTEC courses and continued study of the Performing Arts at post-16 level. Additionally, students will actively participate in our wide range of extracurricular activities, which further develop the skills cultivated in lessons.

Homework in Dance is designed to strengthen learning through retrieval practice, helping students revisit key knowledge, vocabulary and concepts so that students come to lessons prepared to apply recalled knowledge and skills in practical activities.

Students are expected to:

  • Plan warm-up exercises to lead the start the lesson
  • Practice, rehearse and refine performance pieces and choreography individually
  • Engage in the appreciation of professional dance works

 

These activities support skill development, foster independent learning, and encourage active participation in dance

Enrichment activities in Key Stage 3 include a variety of opportunities such as:

  • KS3 Dance club
  • Street Dance club
  • Musical Theatre club
  • Dance Company Aspire and Select for our Gifted and Talented dancers
  • Boys’ Dance workshops
  • Professional workshops led by visiting practitioners
  • Opportunities to watch professional dance works and live performances
  • Annual dance showcases – Christmas showcase and DanceFest

 

In addition, we organise regular trips to theatres in Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury and Birmingham, where students experience high-quality live theatre and dance performances. These visits may support curriculum learning, link to KS4 study, reward outstanding commitment, or simply broaden students’ cultural experiences through the enjoyment of live performance.

We also offer a residential trip to London for students considering further study in the Performing Arts. During the visit, students have the opportunity to watch two West End productions and take part in a practical workshop led by a professional cast member. This provides an exciting and memorable insight into the world of professional theatre and performance.

Studying dance at Key Stage 3 opens up a wide range of career opportunities for students, both within the performing arts and beyond. Studying Dance at KS3 can lead to:

  • Studying BTEC Tech Award Level 1/2 in Performing Arts (Dance) at KS4
  • School performances, productions and enrichment clubs
  • Community dance groups and external training opportunities
  • Leadership roles such as sports leaders or arts ambassadors

 

Students can pursue careers as professional dancers, choreographers, or dance instructors, working in theatres, television, film, and commercial industries. Additionally, dance education can lead to careers in arts administration, event production, physical therapy, and fitness training. The skills developed through dance, such as creativity, discipline, teamwork, and communication, are highly transferable and can also support careers in areas like education, marketing, and media.

View KS3 Curriculum map

About the KS4 Curriculum intent, implementation, and impact

Our Key Stage 4 Dance curriculum, delivered through the Pearson BTEC Technical Award Level 1/Level 2 in Performing Arts (Dance Pathway), is designed to inspire, challenge and empower students to become confident, expressive and reflective performers. Through a vocationally focused and industry-relevant programme of study, students develop a deep understanding of dance as both an art form and a professional discipline, building creativity, resilience, collaboration and independence.

Students refine and hone their practical dance skills across a range of styles and techniques, developing a range of Dance skills. They build increasing confidence in choreography, performance and rehearsal processes, learning to communicate meaning, mood and intention through movement with accuracy and expression. Technical skills such as timing, musicality, spatial awareness, safe dance practice, transitions, partnering, lifts (where appropriate), precision and performance quality are revisited and strengthened throughout the course.

The curriculum encourages students to explore how professional practitioners create and perform work, broadening their understanding of the performing arts industry and potential career pathways. Students learn to analyse and evaluate performances, respond to feedback, and apply critical thinking to improve their own practice. They also develop transferable skills including teamwork, leadership, problem solving, time management, discipline and effective communication.

By the end of Key Stage 4, students will be equipped with the technical proficiency, creative confidence and professional awareness needed to progress to further study in dance or performing arts, apprenticeships, or employment within the creative industries, while also fostering a lifelong appreciation of dance and performance.

In year 10 students embark on the BTEC Level 1 / 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts Dance approach. The vocational qualification allows students to develop knowledge and understanding by applying their learning and practical skills in a work-related context, encouraging them to take responsibility for their learning and to develop skills that are essential for the modern-day workplace. These skills include teamwork, working from a prescribed brief, working to deadlines and presenting information effectively. These qualifications open doors to progression into further study.  In year 10 students will complete and be graded on Component 1, Exploring the Performing Arts which is 30% of the overall qualification.

 

Component 1: Learners will develop their understanding of the Performing Arts by examining the work of performing arts professionals and the processes used to create performance. This component students will understand the requirements of being a performer and will develop a practical understanding of how performing arts work is created. Students will look at elements such as roles, responsibilities and the application of relevant skills and techniques. Students will have the chance to explore practically the work of different professionals to develop an appreciation of the methods they use to explore a theme and communicate to audiences through their work. Students will broaden their knowledge through observing existing repertoire and by learning about professionals’ approaches and how they create and influence performance material. Students will develop transferable skills, such as research and communication, which will support their progression to Level 2 or 3 vocational or academic qualifications.

 

Component 2 preparation. Students will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of a chosen dance style whilst developing physical, interpretative and stylistic skills and techniques. They will do this by honing their skills and technique learning professional repertoire and working towards a group performance. They will track their progress throughout, continuously evaluating their strengths and weakness and setting targets for self-improvement.

 

In year 11 students will complete Component 2 and 3 of the Level 2 BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts Dance. Component 2 will be completed in the Autumn term which is worth 30% with Component 3 being completed in the spring term and worth 40% of the overall qualification.  Students will build on their knowledge and experience of the Dance techniques and skills explored in Year 10, perform a professional repertoire and explore their creativity with a choreography task.

Students will apply their knowledge, skills, and techniques both practically and through written assignments, reviewing their strengths and weaknesses and refining their practice through personal target setting.

Students will learn repertoire from professional works and perform this as an ensemble to a live audience.

Students will respond to a brief set by the exam board and create their own Dance production, developed for a specific target audience. Students will complete written logs that document their ideas and skill development throughout the process and an evaluation of the final performance.

By the end of Key Stage 4, students studying BTEC Dance will have developed a strong combination of practical performance skills, creative understanding and professional attitudes that prepare them well for further education, training and future employment. Students leave the course as confident, disciplined and reflective learners who understand the demands of working within the performing arts.

The course enables students to develop creativity and problem-solving skills through the creation of original choreography and performance work. They learn to communicate ideas clearly, interpret creative briefs and make informed artistic decisions. Through analysing professional works and evaluating their own progress, students become thoughtful and independent learners.

Students gain an understanding of the performing arts industry, including professional expectations, career pathways and the commitment required to succeed in creative sectors. These experiences prepare them for progression to further study such as Level 3 BTEC courses, A Levels, apprenticeships or specialist training in Dance, Performing Arts and related creative industries.

As a result, students complete the course not only with recognised qualifications, but with the confidence, independence and transferable skills valued by colleges, universities and employers across a wide range of careers.

Engagement in the Performing Arts will be also measured on those continuing to study Performing Arts post 16.

  • Researching professional dance works and practitioners
  • Auditing and monitoring the development of technical and performance skills
  • Self-evaluating progress and identifying areas for improvement
  • Planning, developing and preparing for personal choreography projects

We are proud that our extensive enrichment offer continues throughout Key Stage 4, providing students with a wide range of dance and performance opportunities that enable them to further develop their skills, confidence and creativity both within and beyond the classroom:

  • Street Dance Club
    A popular weekly club led by a professional dancer, offering students the chance to learn current styles, develop technique, and perform industry‑standard choreography.
  • Professional Dance Workshops
    Students take part in workshops delivered by working professional dancers, giving them valuable insight into the dance industry and the experience of learning in a professional rehearsal environment.
  • Dance Company – Aspire & Select
    An audition‑only dance company designed for gifted and talented students, providing advanced training, performance experience, and opportunities to work at a higher level.
  • Musical Theatre Club
    A dynamic club combining dance, acting, and singing, supporting students who enjoy performing across a range of styles and disciplines.
  • Dance Festivals and External Performances
  • Students have the opportunity to perform at regional dance festivals, including Thomas Telford Dance Festival and Walsall Dance Festival, gaining experience of performing in professional venues. We also provide students with the opportunity to represent the school in The Great Big Dance Off, a national dance competition for schools and colleges. This exposes students to a wide range of performance work at an exceptionally high standard, helping to inspire them, raise aspirations and broaden their experience of dance.
  • Annual Dance Show
    A highlight of the school calendar, showcasing the talent and hard work of our students across all year groups.
  • School Musical Productions
    Students can take part in whole‑school musical productions, developing teamwork, dedication, and confidence through large‑scale performances.

These enrichment opportunities allow our students to grow as performers, develop essential life skills, and experience the excitement and discipline of performing to live audiences.

Following the completion of the BTEC Tech Award Level 1/2 in Performing Arts (Dance), students develop a range of practical, creative and professional skills that prepare them for further study and employment.

Students will build skills such as:

  • Performance confidence and stage presence
  • Choreography and creative thinking
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Communication and presentation skills
  • Discipline, commitment and resilience
  • Time management and organisation
  • Problem-solving and adaptability
  • Physical fitness, coordination and body awareness
  • Responding to feedback and self-evaluation
  • Leadership and independence

After completing this qualification, students may progress to:

  • A Level Dance
  • BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/Diploma in Performing Arts
  • T Levels in related creative or education sectors
  • Apprenticeships in creative industries, leisure or teaching support
  • College courses in dance, musical theatre or performing arts
  • Specialist dance schools or conservatoires (with further qualifications)

This qualification can support progression into careers such as:

  • Professional Dancer
  • Choreographer
  • Dance Teacher (with further qualifications)
  • Performing Arts Practitioner
  • Musical Theatre Performer
  • Community Arts Worker
  • Fitness/Dance Instructor
  • Events and Entertainment Performer
  • Stage Manager or Production Support
  • Arts Administrator
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