Richmond School
School Departments | Dance
Dance
Richmond School is a Performing Arts College and Dance plays an important part in the opportunities and learning offered to students. Dance is enjoyed by students at varying levels. Some students have little background or interest but are awakened to their potential, whilst others are already competent in dance and are supported in their development through Dance GCSE/A Level and into higher education.
Dance is an Art Form which uses the body as a skilful instrument of expression. Dance at Richmond School sets out to heighten pupils’ awareness and understanding of how the body moves, how it can communicate and express ideas and how it can master movement through training. Students are given a variety of stimuli and ideas in order to develop creativity, fuelling their imagination as well as developing an appreciation of the work of others.
Dance is a subject where pupils work together and learn respect for each other. It is an excellent opportunity for students to express themselves and gain self confidence through the process of creating and performing.
KS3
Dance is taught to all students throughout the key stage. In year 7 and 8 Dance is delivered through the Physical Education programme but by specialist Dance teachers. In year 9 Dance is taught as a separate subject to PE with lessons in mixed ability groups.
We aim to provide students with a wide range of dance skills including how to create and appreciate movement as well as studying performance techniques in varying dance genre. Boys and girls enjoy the dance opportunities and we facilitate this with many extra curricular classes and performance opportunities.
Professional Dancers are regularly invited into school to hold workshops and dance events which further enthuse and motivate our students as well as offering them an insight into the dance world beyond school.
KS4/5
Dance is offered as an option subject at GCSE and then at AS and A2.
GCSE is an increasingly popular choice by male and female students and a physically, mentally and personally rewarding experience. It is a demanding practical course but also has an important theory element throughout. Students are examined on their performance and technical skills of both a solo set dance and a group dance. They also choreograph their own dance for examination. They study professional company work to allow them to understand the construction of dance as an art form.
A Level Dance is also available and chosen again by male as well as female students. GCSE is useful but not essential, although a passion for dance and huge energy and commitment is compulsory. The course demands technical, expressive and creative skills as well as challenging theoretical concepts and ideas. A Level Dance aims to bring the dance student into a wider understanding of the dance world and inform them well enough to take dance into a career if they should choose. Indeed, many students now apply to study Dance in further education.
Dance contacts:
For further information please contact:
Miss V Hargest - Head of Dance – vhargest@richmondschool.net
Ms R Jones - Dance Teacher- rajones@richmondschool.net