Dance at Sedgehill is highly valued, providing Yr 7 and 8 timetabled dance classes once a fortnight. Year 9’s have opportunity to participate in dance also through extra-curricular dance projects. GCSE Dance provides an opportunity for students to develop technical skills as well as creative skills through choreography.  Sedgehill Dance also runs the BTEC Subsidiary Course for KS5 students developing a wide range of choreographic, technical, performance and appreciation skills.

Dance at Sedgehill provides all students with a fundamental understanding of, and ability to use a diverse range of dance styles from street to lindy hop and 70’s style dance.  Dance naturally benefits the students as it lends itself to developing various key skills. Dance provides opportunities to build confidence through performance.  Students develop communication, creative and problem solving skills through choreographic group work. The students are also required to demonstrate the ability to appreciate ones work in addition to peers, which develops the student’s analytical and reflective skills.

The Dance Department is continually expanding and we now offer it across all Key Stages. In addition to GCSE Dance at KS4 and modules in BTEC Performing Arts at KS5, we now offer one hour of Dance per fortnight at KS3. We believe that Dance develops our students’ confidence, creativity, social skills and health and wellbeing.

 The Dance curriculum constitutes 3 core components; Choreography, Performance and Dance Appreciation.

Choreography is the ability to create and shape dance sequences and focuses mainly on use of Action, Space, Dynamics & Dance Relationships.

Performance ability is developed through technique exercises alongside expressive skills and the ability to engage and communicate with an audience.

Dance Appreciation is the ability to express understanding, make judgments and evaluate Dance in all its forms. Students are encouraged to reflect and evaluate their own work and that of other students, on a regular basis.

The syllabus for Dance in KS3 is centred on core Dance skills, as a foundation for GCSE. Some examples of topics covered at KS3:

• Using Space

• Exploring Canon & Unison

• Dancing using a stimulus

• Dance Formations & Shapes

• Rhythm & Timing

• Storytelling through Dance

GCSE Dance is now fully integrated as a Year 10 option and students study it during 5 hours per fortnight. The course is based on Choreography, Performance & Appreciation which builds on the KS3 syllabus. The assessment breakdown is as follows:

- Choreography 40 % (15% in year 10, 25% in yr 11)

- ‘Set Dance’ Practical Piece 20% (Set by the exam board)

- Group Dance  20 %

- Written Exam 20%

 The Dance Department also run a range of extra-curricular clubs, covering styles such as Jazz, Salsa, Street, Ballet, Modern & Contemporary. Dance plays a key part in Specialist Status Events and Whole School Productions.

 Department Staff 2012/2013

• "The supportive learning environment Sedgehill Dance provides, enables students to develop personal and dance skills in a fun and exciting way, inspiring many students to continue developing their dance skills either as a career or hobby."

  Dance Subject Leader - Holly Keville