“Valuing Learning,
Valuing Each Other”

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Email: office@driffield.e-riding.sch.uk

GCSE Dance

This two year course focuses on the aesthetic and artistic qualities of dance and the use of dance movement as a medium of expression and communication in the performance, creation and appreciation of dance.

The content has been chosen for the way in which it enables candidates to develop knowledge, skills and understanding of creating and interpreting images/ideas/concepts embodied in dance

development. The study of dance works, including those of the professional repertoire, within artistic and social contexts, is an essential component in the development of this understanding.

The GCSE Dance course encourages students to:

develop understanding and appreciation of a range of dance styles;
develop aesthetic and artistic sensibility to dance works;
develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to perform,
choreograph and appreciate dance including an awareness of its artistic contexts;
develop life-skills and attributes including decision making, critical
and creative thinking, aesthetic sensitivity and the ability to cooperate with others.

Entry Requirements

A genuine interest in dance is essential. Students need to demonstrate the potential to engage in a study of dance which is broadly-based. This includes the ability to develop knowledge, skills and understanding of performance, choreography and appreciation of dance to levels appropriate for the award of GCSE.

Method of Assessment

Performance: This will include a study of:

good studio practice
the technical nature of dance skills
the expressive nature of dance skills
factors which influence the achievement of high quality dance performance.

Choreography: This will include a study of:

the process of creating choreography
choreographic structure
constituent features of a dance

Appreciation: This will include a study of:

analysis and interpretation of dances
the historical and social context of dances
the set work: A Professional dance piece; dance analysis and evaluation.

Written paper:

Candidates will be required to present relevant information in a form that suits its purposes; ensure that text is legible and that spelling, punctuation and grammar are accurate, so that meaning is clear. Quality of written communication will be assessed in the written paper.

Summary of assessment:

Written Paper - 20% of the total marks

2 hours. Short and extended answer questions.
Set Study: Practical Examination 20% of the total marks
Performance of a dance of approximately one minute.

Performance & Choreography:

Coursework 60% of the total marks
Performance of Duo/Group Dance 20%
Choreography 30%
Expanded Programme Note 10%

Further Information

The GCSE course is a progressive course and all assessment internal and external takes place during the second year. It is hard work but very rewarding. Dance promotes a healthy lifestyle and can help to improve confidence and independence.

I just wanted the opportunity to thank you and all your staff for making our daughter’s first year at Driffield School such a successful and enjoyable experience. Since starting last September we have been impressed by the feedback from your staff in way of letters, postcards, praise and encouragement for our daughter. it is very much appreciated.

Parents of Year 7 student

I am writing to congratulate the Year 10 and Year 11 students who volunteered to take part in the mock interview process today which I was part of…. Students had taken time to do preparation work and the effort to look at the part of an interviewee. The students were a credit to the school and their parents. They were eloquent, enthusiastic and asked pertinent and searching questions of the interviewers.

Business Mentor

I would like to pass on our compliments to the staff for their positive input over the last term and a half. We are very pleased with our daughter’s progress and significant improvement in many subjects.

Parent of Y10 student

My wife and I were delighted to be able to obtain tickets for the Saturday performance of 42nd Street. We wish to applaud all those involved in the brilliant show – not just the main characters, tap dancers and singers, but the excellent musicians and their two teachers; the remarkably efficient scene shifters; and all of your staff responsible for a really professional production.

Parent of student

I am writing to thank Driffield School and the Sports Department for their help and support during 2007. We ran four very successful school biathlons (run/swim) in Driffield. Thank you for your continued support.

British Pentathlon Development Officer

We are delighted with our daughter's transfer to Driffield School. She is enthusiastic about everything - her lessons, teachers and the other students - she never stops talking about them when she gets home. It is lovely to see her re-discovering her enjoyment of school life. Thank you for all your help and support with this.

Parent of Year 10 student

My daughter has just completed her A Levels and has now left Driffield School. However, I couldn’t let the occasion go without writing to thank you and your school for looking after her and giving her such a fine education – and more. Her splendid ‘A’ Level results stand testimony to hard work on her part and a lot of effort, encouragement and perseverance from her teachers.

Parent of Year 13 student

I would just like to know how much I enjoyed Driffield School’s production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The singing, notably from pupils in the lead parts, was fabulous. The acting in every case was excellent as was the musical accompaniment from the orchestra. Well done to all involved for supporting and encouraging the students in this way.

Parent of a student

On behalf of the President and members of Driffield Rotary Club, I write to thank the school for the cheque for £456.63, donated to go towards the cost of rebuilding the school in Sri Lanka destroyed by the Tsunami. It was very generous of the school’s Student Council to agreed to give the proceeds from the non-uniform in July to this very worthwhile project.

The International Committee of the Rotary Club

May I take this opportunity to thank your staff for a wonderful trip to Cork with the Driffield School Swing Band. The students were impeccable in all respects and a credit to the school and their teachers.

Parent of a student

We wish to place on record our sincere thanks, and would ask you to pass on our gratitude to all the members of staff who taught our daughter, particularly in the past two ‘A’ Level years.

Parent of Year 13 student

Driffield School is a vibrant community where teachers and students work hard and achieve well.

Ofsted Inspectors

In this increasingly effective school, standards are rising and have been consistently above average for the last three years.

Ofsted Inspectors

Parents speak well of the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff. They appreciate the way in which students are welcomed into the school and give a chance to reach their full potential.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students themselves say that they enjoy the huge range of opportunities open to them and feel well cared for.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students are confident, articulate and enthusiastic. Students of all ages mix well together because of the tutor system, which puts students of different ages in mixed tutor groups.

Ofsted Inspectors

Sixth Form students play an important role helping younger students to enjoy and take full part in the life of the school.

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Teachers have high expectations of what students can do and make these clear.

Ofsted Inspectors

Driffield takes good care of its students... Students work hard to reach increasingly challenging targets.

Ofsted Inspectors

This is a very successful Sixth Form. Results for AS/A2 and AVCE examinations are well above average, maintaining a consistently positive trend. Students overall achievement and progress in the Sixth Form are very good; many achieve well beyond expectation.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching is lively and challenging, and foster students’ responsibility and independent learning and results in very positive attitudes.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching and learning are good overall, with a high proportion of outstanding lessons.

Ofsted Inspectors

The school’s commitment to the care and well-being of students is evident in exemplary arrangements for child protection, safeguarding and health and safety matters.

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