Dance (GCE A Level)

Why Study Dance?

The A-level Dance qualification is a two year course which encourages students to progress their creative and intellectual capacity as a choreographer and a performer. Students gain transferable skills such as team working, communication and problem solving. All of these are sought after skills by higher education and employers and will help them stand out in the workplace whatever their choice of career. This specification reflects both historical and current dance practices, making it more relevant, and inspires a lifelong passion and appreciation for dance. Demonstrating on practical focus on how to perform and choreograph as part of a dance company which are transferable skills to any future career paths.

All A-Level Dance students perform in two professional performances a year. Students have two technique lessons a week which range from Graham, Fosse, Cunningham and Ballet technique. Throughout the year students will attend performing arts career fairs to give them a true insight into the industry.

The aim of our entry criteria policy is to ensure students are taking courses they are well suited to and are able to make progress in. We seek to provide courses well matched to the needs of our students, helping them to follow their chosen progression pathway.

Our main College entry requirements are as follows;

Entry Requirements

A minimum of five 9-4 grades at GCSE, including English and Maths (at least to Level 4) from five different subject areas.

Purely vocational pathway require a minimum of four 9-4 grades at GCSE, including English and Maths (at least to Level 4) from four different subject areas.

There will be three pathways which students can follow based on an average grade produced from their seven best GCSE results. The calculation being used for this van be seen overleaf.

Pathway

Average Grade

Programme of study

1

Average grade of 7 or higher

3 or 4 A Levels

2

Average grade of 5 to 6.9

3 A Levels or a mixed A Level and Vocational pathway

3

Average grade of less than 5

Mixed (A Level and Vocational) or Vocational pathway

The method for calculating your average grade and additional subject requirements are within our full entry criteria document which can be found on the Sixth Form section of our website:

http://home.shelleycollege.org/sixth-form/how-to-apply

As well as our general entry requirements, there are certain subjects which hold individual expectations based on GCSE outcomes.