Dance
Welcome to Dance at Ivybridge Community College.
Our department is dedicated to providing a high-quality, inspiring and inclusive dance education that nurtures creativity, confidence and a lifelong appreciation of the arts. We believe strongly in equality of access, offering a broad and balanced curriculum that supports students’ academic, physical, social and emotional development while encouraging independence, teamwork and self-expression. Through practical, performance-based learning underpinned by strong theoretical understanding, students explore dance as a powerful artistic, cultural and communicative form, developing skills in creating, performing and appreciating work across a range of styles. Supported by talented specialist staff and excellent facilities, including dance studios, performance spaces and a full programme of extracurricular opportunities, our students benefit from a rich and exciting dance experience from KS3 through GCSE, RSL and A Level pathways. With strong community partnerships and regular performance opportunities, we aim to ensure every student grows in confidence, creativity and resilience while contributing to a vibrant and collaborative performing arts community.
Subject Benefits and Aims
Dance supports students’ overall development academically, vocationally, socially, physically, and morally. It encourages independence, teamwork, responsibility, and creativity, while fostering a lifelong interest in learning and the arts.
Through Dance, students gain a wide range of benefits, including artistic and aesthetic understanding, cultural awareness, improved health and wellbeing, and valuable life skills. It also supports different ways of learning and allows students to express ideas, identity, and culture through movement.
Dance develops creativity, confidence, communication, and reflective thinking. It helps students understand themselves and others, while building teamwork, negotiation skills, and the ability to respond creatively to challenges. It also promotes appreciation of diversity and different cultural traditions.
The subject explores a range of styles including lyrical, narrative, dramatic, and poetic forms, and connects with other art forms and curriculum areas. Students are encouraged to engage in performing, creating, observing, and appreciating dance as part of a balanced artistic education.
Aims of the Dance Department
The Dance curriculum aims to:
- Develop understanding of Dance as a core artistic discipline
- Provide opportunities for physical, spatial, kinaesthetic, and visual learning
- Integrate performing, creating, observing, and appreciating
- Encourage collaboration with other art forms and subjects
- Develop students’ ability to make informed and critical judgements
- Foster creativity, confidence, and self-esteem
- Promote health, wellbeing, and responsible attitudes
- Build communication, teamwork, and leadership skills
- Encourage innovation and creative problem-solving
- Ensure breadth, choice, and depth in arts education
- Challenge and extend talented students
We also ensure that:
- All students perform or present work at least once a year.
- Students perform for parents and the wider community annually.
- Students have opportunities to work with professional artists each year.
- Students can access financial support where needed.
- Dance is connected across the curriculum through cross-subject learning.
Courses Offered
The Dance Department promotes a collaborative, creative, and supportive environment where students can develop their skills through study, research, and performance.
Courses Offered
- Key Stage 3 Dance
- GCSE Dance
- RSL Dance (Level 2 & Level 3)
- A Level Dance
- BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts (equivalent to one or two A Levels)
Enrichment Opportunities
The department offers a strong programme of lunchtime and after-school activities, supporting a wide range of performance experiences, including:
- Music concerts
- Performing arts shows
- Musicals
- Dance productions
Exam Board:
GCSE - https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/dance/gcse/dance-8236/specification
A-Level - https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/dance/a-level/dance-7237/specification
For more information, please contact the College here: