AQA have developed a new specification for GCSE Dance, with greater focus on the practical work and 80% of the total marks on performance and choreography.
Despite the fact that final marks are down to the individual dancer, GCSE Dance students work as a team supporting one another in choreographic groups. Visits to the theatre to see professional dance works are part of the course and last season the students saw "Swan Lake" danced by The Royal Ballet at Covent Garden and "Carnival of Animals" as part of a mixed programme by the Siobhan Davies Dance group in Brighton. The students also study various dance works on screen.
The class on Saturday afternoons is backed up with workshop days during the holidays. esspa has entered students for AQA GCSE Dance for the last 7 years with excellent results.
The examination structure is as follows:
Unit 1: Critical appreciation of dance (1 hour written paper)
20% of total mark
Unit 2: Set Dance: practical exam
20% of total mark
Unit 3: Performance in a duo/group dance, related to a set professional work
20% of total mark
Unit 4: Choreography
Solo composition based on a motif from a set professional work
15% of total mark
Choreography Solo or group dance
25% of total mark