DARRICK WOOD SCHOOL
RESPECT | RESPONSIBILITY | HONESTY
RESPECT | RESPONSIBILITY | HONESTY
Dance is taught as part of the extra curricular programme at KS3 level and within Physical Education lessons. The Drama Department also teaches a Scheme of Work using movement and dance as part of its Shakespearian work.
The three strands of the course are Performance, Choreography and Dance Appreciation.
Students will experience a variety of dance styles during this course as the anthology of professional works that are studied, will allow students to critically appraise and practically explore dance of different styles and cultural influences. This course will also encourage the development of students’ creative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacity, whatever their previous experience in the subject.
AssessmentPractical Assessment (60% of final mark)
Written Examination (40% of final mark)
A one hour and 30 minute written examination will assess students on the critical appreciation of their own work, professional work and their knowledge of choreographing and performing.
The A level Dance specification reflects both historical and current dance practices, making it more relevant and inspires a lifelong passion and appreciation for dance. Students develop their knowledge of dance history which allows a breadth of understanding of the development of dance within specific areas of study; Rambert Dance Company and American Jazz 1940-75. The lessons include both theoretical and practical activities and cover a range of dance techniques from a variety of different practitioners in which students will perform a solo in the style of one of the practitioners. Students are required to compose dances, which will require them to apply their knowledge of choreographic devices.
Course Structure
KS3 Drama lessons are divided into modules and aim to develop the students' theatre skills as well as giving them the opportunity to grow in understanding of themselves and the world around them. At the end of each term, students carry out a practical assessment as well as a formal practical examination at the end of the academic year; this enables teachers to gauge the individual students’ progress. Students are taught in their mixed ability forms.
What do students learn in KS3?This course will enable students to take part in a wide variety of dramatic activities with the opportunity of obtaining a GCSE qualification. It combines academic and practical work and hence is suitable for students of all abilities. Good school attendance is important, as much of the practical work takes part in groups and the absence of one member can impede the work of others. Equally important are enthusiasm, discipline and an open mind. A large amount of the work will be practical and will include devising drama, texts in practice, technical workshops, mime, movement, voice and speech work.
Use of a video camera enables students to view their own work and clearly see where improvement is needed. There will also be some opportunity to explore a number of the other technical aspects of drama:
Visits to the theatre both locally and in London are an important and enjoyable part of the course. All students must commit to seeing at least two school theatre performances during their GCSE Drama course as they will be required to write about a live performance in their written examination. We also aim to offer students the experience of professional theatre workshops at some point during the course.
Students will be taught how to rehearse and perform scripted and devised work and will be given opportunities to present these to an audience where appropriate. They will keep a written record of all they do in the form of notes and essays, and will learn skills of written and oral analysis.
AssessmentPractical Work (60%): Consists of a devised piece and a devising log that is internally assessed and externally moderated. In addition, there is a performance of two contrasting extracts, which is externally assessed.
Written Examination (40%): Consists of two sections that explore their understanding of drama, exploration of a set play studied and the work of theatre makers in a live production seen.
This course encompasses both theoretical and practical aspects of Drama and gives students a good balance between physical performance and academic written work. This course is firmly rooted in creativity, sensitivity and the development of critical and communication skills. It is designed for students who want a deeper understanding of drama and are interested in studying plays, looking at the work of influential theatre practitioners, design and technical elements, analysing live theatre performance and creating performance work of their own.
Course StructureCreation and performance or design realisation of an original piece of theatre, working as a member of a group. Submission of written coursework about the devising and performance/realisation of your production in the form of a portfolio.
Component 2: TEXT IN PERFORMANCE (20%)Performance/design realisation of a monologue or duologue and a group performance/design realisation of an extract from a play you have studied on the course.
Component 3: THEATRE MAKERS IN PRACTICE (40%)You will also be assessed on your understanding of drama and theatre in a written examination which is made up of three sections:
In Music lessons the three integrated areas of listening, performing and composing provide the focus of all curriculum activities. Key Stage 3 lessons involve the use of music software to assist student learning in all areas of the topics covered. The department has a dedicated Music ICT area that has been purpose built to meet the needs of all who study Music. Extra-curricular activities flourish, all students are actively encouraged to become involved in the many instrumental and vocal ensembles that run every lunchtime. Many of our students learn music from the large team of Bromley Youth Music Trust appointed peripatetic staff.
What do students learn in KS3?Students will perform a minimum of two pieces, one of which must be an ensemble performance of at least one minute; vocal duet, rock-band piece, and piano duet are all examples of suitable group pieces. Performances must last a total of 4 - 6 minutes. The required standard to gain full marks is the equivalent of an instrumental/vocal grade three. Throughout the course students will be given regular opportunities to practise their ensemble and solo performance skills. It is highly recommended that students take vocal or instrumental lessons to support progress in this area.
Component 2: Composing – creating music (30%)Students compose two pieces, one of which must be in response to a brief set by the examination board and one is free choice. The total length of compositions must be between 3 – 6 minutes. Throughout the course students will be taught composing skills through a variety of short exercises and longer compositions using instruments and computer software. All students are given access at home and school, to Soundtrap and Noteflight software. Additionally, Musescore and Sibelius software is available at school and free to download at home.
Component 3: Appraising – understanding music (40%)This component is assessed via a listening examination in Year 11. There will be eight questions in total, two on each of the following four Areas of Study:
Composing and Performing are assessed by the teacher and moderated by the examination board. In the written examination, students will be assessed on their knowledge and understanding of the four Areas of Study, and on their aural perception in a written examination.
The course extends skills developed through Key Stage 3 and GCSE level covering performing, composing and appraising.
Course StructurePerform a selection of pieces as a recital, either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble, for a minimum of 8 minutes. Compose two pieces, one in response to a brief and one in response to a brief assessing technique, with a combined duration of at least 6 minutes. Listen to extracts of the studied set works and respond to a set of structured questions in a final examination.
Students should have an active interest in a range of physical activities, have a good level of physical fitness, participate in sporting activities from AQA’s approved list on a regular basis, at a competitive level and appreciate the importance of the theoretical side of the subject. A scientific mind will help.
The course is split into a practical section and a theoretical section. The practical element accounts for 30% of the overall GCSE and the theory element accounts for 70% of the overall GCSE. The theoretical section covers the following two main topics, which are studied in depth using a variety of teaching styles and stimuli, culminating in a written examination on each topic:
At the end of Year 11, a written examination will assess students’ theoretical knowledge in the following areas:
At the end of Year 11, a written examination will assess students’ theoretical knowledge in the following areas:
(30% of GCSE for practical performance and 10% of GCSE for written, theory coursework)
The practical assessment is continuous and covers:
Assessments are conducted during lessons by the teacher, but moderated by the examining board. For each of their three activities, students will be assessed in skills in progressive drills (10 marks per activity) and in the full context (15 marks per activity). Students will be assessed on their analysis (15 marks) and evaluation (10 marks) of performance to bring about improvement in one activity.
Applied anatomy and physiology, Skill acquisition, Sport and society, Exercise physiology, Biomechanical movement, Sport psychology, Sport and society and the role of technology in physical activity and sport. In order to facilitate the best possible practical grade students will be expected to be participating regularly in a sport activity which is listed in AQA’s approved activity list for A level Physical Education. Students will also need to provide video evidence of their practical performance in a full context version of that particular activity. Expectations are that everyone works to their maximum capabilities both in a practical and theoretical capacity.
Course StructurePaper 1: Factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport
Paper 2: Factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity and sport
Non-Examination Assessment: Practical performance and coursework
AssessmentPaper 1: Written examination 2 hours, 105 marks is 35% of A level
Paper 2: Written examination 2 hours, 105 marks is 35% of A level
Non-examination assessment: Practical Performance in physical activity and sport, 90 marks is 30% of the A level. Students assessed as a performer or coach in the full-sided version of one: Practical Performance in physical activity and sport activity plus written/verbal analysis of performance. Internal assessment, external moderation. All practical work is completed by the students in their own time and is their responsibility to film their performance in a full context (competitive) situation, for purpose of marking.
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