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Dance
At Whitstone School we strongly believe that the performing arts industry is extremely important to all students' personal learning journey and development as individuals. Studying dance will introduce and allow students to develop an array of dance specific skills but also strengthen transferable skills that are apparent in a range of other subjects here at Whitstone.
Our intent is to enthuse students about dance and to create an infectious passion for the subject itself. We aim to provide students the opportunity to be creative using the medium of dance, whilst building their confidence to be able to stretch and deepen their creativity levels during KS3. Working both independently and collaboratively is a crucial element in dance to develop and broaden subject knowledge and application of understanding in choreographic tasks, performances and appreciation projects. The latter, is supported and achieved through a diverse and multicultural curriculum that provides students a taster of what dance has to offer. All students will receive one lesson a fortnight and lessons are structured to shape the necessary principles in performance, technique, choreography and composition. Additionally, We believe in excellence and inclusion at all levels, recognising that students thrive in exciting opportunities that consist of high standards. Here at Whitstone we are proud to offer and invite all students to take part in our annual ‘Celebration of Dance’ evening. This aims to provide them a like to like, realistic experience of what could be expected of them in the performing arts industry if they wish to pursue a career in dance post-16. We want students to become explorers, to be inquisitive in seeking further challenge and confident communicators. Overall, being able to work effectively with others and finally to be able to express themselves freely as individuals in a safe environment.
Moving forward, students are offered the opportunity to progress further in Dance and select it as a BTEC option at KS4. This course will go into greater depth of what they have learnt broadly at KS3. The course involves students to explore, develop and apply a range of dance styles, skills and techniques. Students will be assessed on their personal development as a dancer, which evolves around their application and understanding of physical and interpretive skills; their creativity through choreographic tasks and demonstrated in performance; and their overall awareness of what being a dancer involves. Additionally, further opportunities are available beyond KS4 that you may want to go on to further study such as A level or BTEC dance or you might want to find work in performing arts, as an apprentice or a trainee.