Dance
Aim
Dance education at Thistley Hough High School is concerned equally with expanding and challenging the capabilities of both the body and the mind. Our approach combines intellect and artistry, the cognitive and the corporeal with the ultimate aim of fostering an appreciation of the art of dance.
Key Stage 3
The focus at KS3 is on the development of fundamental performance and choreographic technique. Alongside practical work students also learn to appraise, analyse, interpret and evaluate their own and others' work in addition to professional performances experienced live or on video / DVD. We believe it is important that students' experience of dance both at KS3 and KS4 is as broad as possible; consequently we aim to incorporate a comprehensive selection of dance genres into the curriculum.
Key Stage 4
GCSE dance is taught at KS4 and is optional. Work in GCSE dance builds upon fundamental technique established at KS3. In summary the GCSE dance course aims for students to:
- Develop an appreciation of a broad spectrum of various dance genres
- Develop aesthetic, artistic and contextual sensitivity to dance works
- Develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to engage intelligently and creatively with the performance, choreography and appreciation of dance
- Develop transferable life skills and attributes including decision making, critical and creative thinking, action planning and time management and the ability to work cooperatively with others
Extra-Curricular Activities
We offer a comprehensive selection of extra-curricular dance activities and excursions that support and develop curriculum dance and also enable students to explore areas of dance not covered in the curriculum. The extra-curricular dance programme includes:
- Gener8 (resident youth urban arts performance company)
- Ballet
- Tap
- Extra-curricular lower school dance
- Extra-curricular upper school dance for able and talented students
- GCSE dance revision and extension class
- GCSE dance support group
Facilities
All dance lessons and extra-curricular dance activities take place in our purpose built amply sized dance studio. Large mirrors have recently been installed and occupy one wall of the dance studio.
Dance and performing arts excursions include:
- New York 5 day Broadway study experience
- London 2 day theatre visit combined with sights
- Paris
- Numerous theatre trips to Manchester, Birmingham, London and also locally
