Dance
Intent:
Our Dance department believes in encouraging pupils to develop a plethora of skills through the Arts. Dance lessons at St Edmunds have high standards and expectations that create a comfortable, nurturing learning environment where pupils are able to learn, create, perform, watch, evaluate and ultimately achieve whilst developing confidence and social communication skills and getting the opportunity to develop physical fitness and the benefits hat exercise has been proven to have on our overall wellbeing and mental health.
Dance Live! Finalists 2025
Out of over 112 schools, Saint Edmunds Catholic School made it through and competed in the Dance Live Finals in this year at The Portsmouth Guildhall. This was filled with the best of the best from all the heats in the south, including private schools, colleges and secondary schools. We are incredibly proud to be named one of the top 10 finalists out of this enormous amount of competition!
Our team consisted of over 100 pupils including both dancers & crew. Our crew were responsible for designing and creating the LED Screen Content, the Journey To Dance Live, Hair and Make Up, Costumes, Live Video Editing, Lighting and Props! Our dancers were responsible for the onstage performance and their professionalism side stage!
Students performed an utterly outstanding performance on a professional stage for a paying sold out audience! You can see from the images that all of their hard work and dedication from October has certainly paid off!
We did a James Bond themed dance this year! It was all about Goldfinger stealing the dance live hard drive, could James Bond save the future of Dance Live and help us dance another day?! We thought this was a great theme because we were able to incorporate the importance of Dance Live and how important it is to work together as a team! Getting through to the finals was an amazing achievement, especially after working so hard. It was really nice to be able to continue the journey of Dance Live on, and create more memories. The thought of competing against colleges and other schools was definitely intimidating but we managed. When we got there, we were welcomed by the Dance Live team. After our first rehearsal we had a dance party with all the other schools. We really enjoyed this because we got to express ourselves. We also enjoyed watching the other schools’ performances because it gave us an idea of what we had to compete against! There weren’t many challenges but there were still a few like having to do 2-hour rehearsals non-stop as well as changing our costumes during scenes. There were many aspects of the dance that we enjoyed, especially: ‘I Predict a Riot’, Mascarade Ball and Celebration. And always remember that the future of dance live was ours to decide!
Beri, Kaja, Amelia, Romilly, Naimh and Cristabelle from 7 Teresa (Dancers)
My role in Dance Live was hair and makeup. I enjoyed making new friends and learning how to do new hair styles and getting better at face paint. I learnt how to improve in slick backs and getting all of the bumps out to achieve a professional finish. I also learnt how to make makeup look sharp and clean with no blank spaces.
Nicole S 8 JP (Hair and Makeup Team)
My role in Dance Live was being in the tech team. I loved my role and working with lighting and camera angles. I have improved my communication and leadership skills by working together to enhance the beauty of dance with combining all parts together.
Gabriela W 8 JP (Tech Team)
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Implementation of Curriculum at KS3 and KS4:
Dance is a subject that is offered as part of the curriculum at Key Stage 3, with all pupils in Year 7, 8 and 9 taking dance lessons as part of their fortnightly timetable, as well as a GCSE option subject at Key Stage 4.
At Key Stage 4 we study the Level 2 BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts; with a Dance focus. BTEC Dance is an exciting and practical course that builds upon prior knowledge of Dance and performing. It aims to develop physical and interpretive performance skills, which offers a great opportunity for progression. In addition, students will develop their understanding of the Performing Arts industry, the job roles within this, and the constituent features of existing professional dance works.
Key Stage 4 (Year 10-11)
Edexcel BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts; Dance.
At KS4 students study the Edexcel BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts; Dance, equivalent to 1 GCSE grade 9-4. This course comprises of three components, all of which have a strongly weighted practical element, with the addition of an element of written coursework that underpins all practical work completed. It aims to develop physical and performance skills through the process of rehearsal and performance, which offers a great opportunity for progression. Students also study a variety of different dance styles, professional dance works, and analyse the different roles on offer within the Performing Arts.
Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts
Develop understanding of the performing arts by examining professional dance work and the processes used to create performance.
Key points:
Watch live and recorded performance material.
Identify how choreographers/performers communicate ideas to their audience. HOW do they choreograph? HOW do they perform?
Explore and develop practical ideas for a performance.
Consider the production elements e.g. set, costume, lighting and sound. Develop practical dance skills and techniques through the reproduction of professional dance repertoire.
Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts
Assessed through attendance at and contribution to workshops and rehearsals, as well as your unit portfolio, and evaluation coursework.
Key Points:
Being a positive part of a company of dancers.
Take part in technique classes and workshops (high level of attendance necessary).
Demonstrate understanding of health and safety and personal management skills.
Develop physical skills and interpretive skills within set dance phrases and repertoire.
Study and perform in two different dance styles.
Respond to teacher instruction and feedback, and absorb/apply feedback and corrections.
Self-evaluation and identify areas for improvement setting targets, tracking own progress. Work as part of a group to create a workshop performance in response to a given brief and stimulus.
Assessed through continuous workshops and technique classes, 2x 2 minute performances in 2 different dance styles, as well as your unit portfolio and evaluation coursework.
Key Points:
Exam paper and brief/stimulus issued.
Completion of an ideas log.
Completion of a skills log.
Work and choreography in groups of 3-7 dancers.
Create a 10-15min performance based on a specific theme stated in the exam paper, performed to a target audience.
Apply physical and interpretive skills.
Communicate your group’s creative intentions.
Evaluation coursework.
Assessed by external examiner based 4 pieces of evidence: 1 – An ideas log, 2 – A skills log, 3 – A digital recording of a performance to an audience, 4 – An evaluation report.
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Impact
Key Stage 4 Exam Results
Summer 2022:
Level 2 Pass+ (Grade 4+) – 76.5%
Level 2 Merit+ - 58.8%
Level 2 Distinction+ - 41.2%
Level 2 Distinction* - 17.6%
Summer 2021:
Level 2 Pass+ (Grade 4+) – 92%
Level 2 Merit+ - 80%
Level 2 Distinction+ - 36%
Level 2 Distinction* - 28%
Summer 2019:
Level 2 Pass+ (Grade 4+) – 87.1%
Level 2 Merit+ - 71%
Level 2 Distinction+ - 58.1%
Level 2 Distinction* - 16.1%
Summer 2018:
Level 2 Pass+ (Grade 4+) – 100%
Level 2 Merit+ - 73.7%
Level 2 Distinction+ - 47.4%
Level 2 Distinction* - 15.8%
