Dance

"The true purpose of arts education is not necessarily to create more professional dancers or artists. It's to create more complete human beings who are critical thinkers, who have curious minds, who can lead productive lives." Kelly Pollock, Centre of Creative Arts

"Creativity is intelligence having fun" Albert Einstein, Theoretical Physicist

Vision

Dance is a universal language and helps students develop technical and expressive skills as well as knowledge and understanding of dance through performance choreography and critical appreciation. Studying Dance develops; creativity, teamwork, confidence, critical thinking, self-discipline, physical health and the ability to work collaboratively. All of which are beneficial in any 21^st Century career path and promote better quality of life. We have a strong belief in positive praise and creating a happy, collaborating classroom where students can develop and progress comfortably. Through practical group work the students are encouraged to use and develop many transferable life skills including communication, listening, social and leadership skills.

The combination of a diverse, quality-focused curriculum, and a rich extra-curricular culture at Deyes High School, arms students with a growth-based mindset. These students grow in confidence, creativity, reflectiveness and expressivity and benefit from social, emotional, and mental health benefits that comes from a genuine enjoyment and love for dance the arts.

Curriculum Intent

Dance is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. Studying Dance develops many transferable life skills; all of which are beneficial in any 21^st Century career path and promote better quality of life.A high-quality Dance education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of creativity and their talent as a dancer, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. It should be inclusive and accessible for everyone to be actively involved in their learning. Our curriculum lends itself to broadening student’s knowledge and cultural capital as well as increasing engagement through practical components.

All pupils will:

• Develop cultural capital by exploring various forms of Dance from around the world
• Develop many soft skills that are related to performance, and developing knowledge of the health and fitness required of a dance
• Develop creativity, resilience, discipline and autonomy through devising and performing
• Take part in both independent learning, and ensemble practical activities.
• Develop analytical skills and further challenge deeper thinking
• Develop knowledge and contextual information linked to dance practitioners and genres.