Overview

Our aim is to develop an atmosphere where involvement, creativity and confidence can flourish for all

Dance makes a unique contribution to the education of all students. We recognise that dance can enrich an individual's life through the development of their cultural and social awareness. Through its use of non-verbal communication students are able to participate in a way which differs from any other area of learning. This allows every student to succeed highly in any or all of the strands of dance; performance, composition and appreciation.

Staff List

Key Stage 3
Although Dance falls under PE national Curriculum at The Jo Richardson Community School Dance is taught under the Performing Arts curriculum. In Key Stage 3 the students learn units based on:

Key Stage 4
In Year 10 and 11 we currently offer AQA GCSE Dance.

6th Form
At The Jo Richardson community School we offer EdExcel Applied AS/A-Level in Performing Arts with a Dance major.

The qualification encourages learners to develop knowledge, skills and understanding of:

• techniques and approaches required in one or more performing arts areas of study
• working methods linked to industry practice
• how their own skills and aptitudes could be best employed in further study and/or work within related sectors
• breadth of sector through exploring its products and processes
• outcomes of industry practice in terms of people, products, services and contexts
• social, historical and cultural influences.

In addition, the qualification develops ways of working that encourages learners to:

• develop their skills, technique and work attitudes to a standard that allows progression to further training or work
• apply working methods used by professionals as individuals and in teams, as well as with audiences and commissioners

Homework Policy
In Key Stage 3 homework is not traditionally set. Although often the students give up their time to rehearse or prepare for performance.

At Key Stage 4 formal homework is regularly set. Students are also required to be available for regular rehearsals as appropriate for performances and coursework.

At Key Stage 5 all homework is portfolio based. It is paramount this is kept up throughout the entire course.

Marking Policy
At key Stage 3 each complete unit is marked and National Curriculum levels are shared. The students are aware of the grading criteria and regularly review and set targets to move up to the next level.  At the end of each unit students complete an Assessment for Learning booklet to identify progress, record results and set targets for the following unit of work.

At key stage 4 and 5 the students are set aspirational targets and are mentored to understand the requirement to achieve these.

At JRCS Dance we are dedicated to extending the technical skills and understanding of our gifted and talented students.  We have a male and female Dance Company dedicated to excelling these students and in lesson time the students are set extension tasks and encouraged to act as leaders in creating and performing work. 

We recently held a Gifted and Talented workshop with Rambert Dance Company where the students learnt real repertoire from the recent tour.  The students then saw the show live at Sadlers Wells and were thoroughly excited to be able to recognise and understand the movements they had learnt being performed by the exceptional dancers of Rambert Dance Company.  The experience was of particular pride to the department as we were joined by former student Jack Burton who now attends the Rambert School of Dance.

As part of the Applied A-Level course the year 12 and 13 students were given the opportunity to study stage make up.  Seeing as we needed some models we invited some Gifted and Talented key stage 3 and 4 students to work with the Sixth Form and experience A-level studies and develop in vocational skills.