Examination board specification- AQA (7237)

A level dance provides an advanced level of training in performance, technique, choreography and dance appreciation. Alongside this, we study dance history, critical analysis of dance works and a variety of professional choreographers.

Each week, students take part in technique classes that build physicality and expand their repertoire in a range of styles. Choreographic workshops enable students to explore their own ideas to create well structured, engaging and intelligent dance pieces. Whilst the theory is embedded into all practical elements, students are also guided in how to write critically about dance, using supporting evidence to analyse and compare works by different artists.

What will I study?

1. Performance (specification page 11)

2. Choreography (specification page 14)

3. Critical engagement (specification page 16)

How will I be assessed?

Component 1: Performance and choreography

What's assessed?

• Solo performance in the style of a professional choreographer
• Performance in a quartet
•  Group choreography  in response to a chosen stimulus

How it's assessed

• Practical exam
• 80 marks
• 50% of A-level

**Non-examination assessment (NEA) marked by an external assessor from AQA during a visit to your centre. Visits will normally take place between March and May. Externally set tasks are distributed by 15 September in the academic year of certification.**

Component 2: Critical engagement​​​​​​.

What's assessed

Knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of two set works.

• One compulsory set work within the compulsory area of study - 
  • Study of Rooster (1997) by Rambert Dance Company
  • The history of Rambert Dance Company between 1966 - 2002
• One optional set work within the corresponding area of study, from a choice of four.
  • Study of Sutra (2009) by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
  • The history of the independent contemporary dance scene in Britain 2000 – present day

How it's assessed

•  Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
• 100 marks
• 50% of A-level

Subjects that compliment Dance

• Performing Arts
• Music
• English Literature
• A-Level PE

Recommended reading:

• Sadlers Wells Dance House (2013) by Sarah Crompton
• 50 Contemporary Choreographers (2020) by Jo Butterworth and Lorna Sanders

Recommended watching:

Works by: (All available on YouTube)

• Rambert Dance Company,
• Akram Khan,
• Jasmin Vardimon,
• Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
• Rooster by Christopher Bruce.

Follow on Social Media: 

• The Place, London Contemporary Dance School, One Dance Uk, Dance in Devon, National Youth Dance Company, Rambert School, James Wilton, Ballet Boyz, Sadlers Wells, Akram Khan, Rambert Dance Company, Jasmin Vardimon, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Hofesh Schecter, Matthew Bourne

Where can A-Level Dance lead me?

• Access to university or conservatoire dance training
• University degree courses in a wide range of specialist areas
• Foundation degree courses in the arts

Exmouth College Sixth Form Dance Alumni

Elina studied A level Dance, Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and the Extended Project Qualification. Alongside her training in ballet at Southwest Ballet Arts, Elina has taken the opportunity to train in contemporary dance with our partner company Chhaya Youth Dance Company.  She successfully auditioned for the highly prestigious London Contemporary Dance School www.lcds.ac.uk, where she will continue her training to become a professional dancer and eventually hopes to study for her PhD.

Louise studied English, History and Dance A level alongside her training in ballet at Woodbury Dance School and with our partner company Chhaya Youth www.chhayacollective.com/chhaya-youth. She also successfully auditioned for London Contemporary Dance School in 2022, where she will continue her training at the highest level. Louise ultimately plans to travel the world as a professional dancer.

Where could I study Dance?

Universities that offer BA Hons in Dance either as a major or joint subject:

• Chichester
• Surrey
• DeMontford
• Falmouth
• Roehampton

Conservatoires:

• Rambert School, London
• Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London
• The Place, London
• Contemporary Dance School, London
• Central School of Ballet, London
• Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Leeds