In Year 7, students come with a wide range of experiences in the Performing Arts from Key Stage 2. Some may have been exposed to dance through primary school lessons or extracurricular activities, such as after-school clubs or group performances. Those with prior experience may have already engaged in whole group dance performances or participated in private dance lessons outside of school.

At Key Stage 3, Dance lessons introduce students to the historical and social contexts of various dance styles, helping them explore the key characteristics that define each style. In Year 7, students focus on learning basic dance movements, which they apply to routines while also studying choreography and different dance styles. In Year 8, students delve into specific Street dance foundations, such as Hip Hop, Locking, and Breaking, exploring the techniques and stylistic elements that distinguish each style. This exploration forms the foundation for the Key Stage 4 syllabus, where students are required to perform within specific dance styles.

By Year 9, students build upon the skills they’ve developed in previous years, deepening their understanding and application of physical and interpretative skills. They also focus on the stylistic qualities of a broader range of dance styles, preparing them for more advanced study and performance.

Dance is currently being taught in KS3 through a variety of workshops through the P.E curriculum. The curriculum is delivered primarily through practical activity with key concepts and theory being linked to skill development. Topics are chosen with the intent to engage all students and introduce them to the three key dance styles of Jazz, Street and Contemporary Dance embodying the knowledge of cultures and traditions whilst enabling them to explore the knowledge and skills that underpin Dance. Each year, schemes of work revisit essential previous knowledge & skills in greater depth, at a higher level or through the styles of Street Dance, Contemporary Dance and Jazz Dance helping student to embed key concepts into their long-term memory and to develop transferable skills. Students are encouraged to share and discuss their work regularly with termly more formal assessments taking place in order to instil confidence in performance.

Progress is assessed continuously, with most lessons culminating in a performance opportunity. These may include informal work share sessions that allow for peer and self-assessment, or more formal teacher-led evaluations. Students’ knowledge is also assessed through formative methods such as questioning, quick quizzes, and supporting written work.

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.

A variety of activities are undertaken, including:

• Leading warm-up exercises to start the lesson
• Practicing set choreography individually
• Engaging in the appreciation of professional dance works, including knowledge quizzes
• Completing appreciation tasks, such as watching and recording personal responses
• Rehearsing and refining performance pieces individually
• Setting personal targets and engaging in self-reflection

These activities support skill development, foster independent learning, and encourage critical engagement with dance.

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

• Boys’ Dance Club
• KS3 Dance Club
• Jazz Dance
• Contemporary Dance
• Street Dance
• Dance Company
• Company Select for our Gifted and Talented (G&T) dancers

In addition, we frequently organise trips to theatres in Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury, and Birmingham to watch professional live theatre and performances. These trips may be linked to students’ exam work, serve as reward trips for those who contribute at a high level, or simply be for entertainment.

We also run an annual residential trip to London for students considering continuing their studies in the Performing Arts. During this trip, students have the opportunity to watch two West End shows and participate in a workshop led by a professional cast member, providing a unique, hands-on experience in the world of theatre.

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