BTEC Dance
Here at Newark Academy we offer a BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts level 1/2 course.
This is an exciting opportunity for students’ who have a passion for dance to explore a variety of dance styles both practically and theoretically from Contemporary, Jazz and Commercial .
Over the course students’ will complete 3 components to develop their practical dance skills and theoretical knowledge. Students’ will participate in technique classes and workshops and they will get the chance to showcase their performances to invited audiences.
To inspire students, we have previously visited external dance colleges and companies to participate in workshops and observe professional works’ to further improve on their knowledge and understanding for their theoretical write up.
What does the qualification cover?
The qualification is the same size and level as a GCSE and is aimed at everyone who wants to find out more about performing arts. This course will give you the opportunity to develop knowledge and technical skills in a practical learning environment. You will also develop key skills, such as creating performance for a real vocational scenario. Everyone taking this qualification will study three components, covering the following content areas:
● Component 1 - Exploring the Performing Arts (30%) - developing an understanding of the performing arts including practitioners’ work and the processes used to create performance.
● Component 2 - Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts (30%) - development of performing arts skills and techniques through the reproduction of professional dance repertoire as performers.
● Component 3 - Responding to a Brief (40%) - contributing to a workshop performance as a performer in response to a given brief and stimulus.
How are students assessed?
Students carry out tasks or mini-projects throughout the course. Assessment of the course is through a variety of internally and externally assessed components.
Internal assessment – externally moderated
Components 1 and 2 are assessed through non-exam internal assessment. Non-exam internal assessment is delivered through Pearson-set Assignments. These assignments are set by Pearson, marked by the centre and moderated by Pearson.
This style of assessment promotes deep learning through ensuring the connection between knowledge and practice. The components focus on:
● the development of core knowledge and understanding of a range of performance/production styles, and the key features that contribute to these such as practitioners’ roles, responsibilities, skills and techniques
● the development and application of skills such as practical and interpretative, rehearsal and performance/production in acting, dance, musical theatre and/or production through workshops and classes
● reflective practice through the development of skills and techniques that allow learners to respond to feedback and identify areas for improvement using relevant presentation techniques, for example a logbook.
External synoptic assessment
There is one external assessment, Component 3, which provides the main synoptic assessment for the qualification. Component 3 builds directly on Components 1 and 2 and enables learning to be brought together and related to a real-life scenario. Component 3: Responding to a Brief requires learners to apply performances or production skills and techniques in response to a brief and stimulus, developing group workshop performance for a selected audience
Expectations
We expect pupils wishing to study dance at KS4 to have a strong passion for dance and preferably to be part of a dance school outside of school, or to attend the dance club. Pupils’ will have 3 lessons of dance per week and for lessons are expected to wear plain black leggings, a Newark Academy PE, hair up, no jewellery and bare feet (dependent on style of dance).