Dance
Department profile
Useful Links
Dance is one of the great art forms of the world, and a thriving career option in the 21st century. Our Dance department has three well-qualified members of staff, trained in a wide range of dance styles. We teach to the highest standard and achieve consistently strong results in all Key Stages.
We are also proud of the contribution that dance makes to students' transferable skills, providing structured and active opportunities to increase awareness, discipline and creative methods of accessing literacy, numeracy and organisational skills. Data is used to aid planning and delivery of high quality lessons and schemes of work, and also to provide consistent feedback, helping students to improve and become aware and independent learners. The department works with a range of resources, including established links with professional dancers, companies, theatres, and higher education institutions. We have successfully sent many Year 13 students on to B.A. degree courses in Dance; they often return to Plumstead Manor to share their experience of university life with our current 6th formers. Curriculum studies are complimented and expanded on through a wide variety of extra-curricular Dance Clubs, and trips to see professional dance in the theatre.
KS2
As part of our school's KS2 to KS3 transition we have regular links with local primary schools, teaching dance workshops and projects with several of our cluster group either at the primary school venue, or here in Plumstead Manor’s Dance Studio. We are also a lively and popular part of Year 7 induction days.
KS3 Curriculum
We deliver an extensive and engaging dance curriculum at KS3, details can be found in our curriculum overview.
The Year 7 Dance curriculum allows students to build their basic dance skills and knowledge, developing their physical, expressive and technical abilities. Throughout the year, students will have the opportunity to explore different dance styles while also being able to work in a team and be able to create their own dance pieces. Each term students will focus on improving their physical, expressive and technical skills, choreography skills and performance skills while also having an appreciation for different styles and genres of dance. We teach students how to think about creatively choreographing dance pieces while adhering to a particular theme or stimulus and also being able to justify their decisions through oracy and academic language.
Find our Year 7 curriculum statement here.
Find our Year 7 knowledge map here.
Find our Year 7 knowledge organiser here.
The Year 8 Dance curriculum allows students to build on their prior basic dance skills and knowledge, developing their physical, expressive and technical abilities. Throughout the year, students will have the opportunity to explore different cultural dances while also being able to work in a team and be able to create their own dance pieces. Each term students will focus on improving their physical, expressive and technical skills while also having an appreciation for different cultural dances and styles. We teach students how to think about creatively choreographing dance pieces while adhering to a particular theme or stimulus and also being able to justify their decisions through oracy and academic language.
Find our Year 8 curriculum statement here.
Find our Year 8 knowledge map here.
Find our Year 8 knowledge organiser here.
The Year 9 Dance curriculum allows students to build on their prior basic dance skills and knowledge, developing their physical, expressive and technical abilities. Throughout the year, students will have the opportunity to explore different dance styles while also being able to work in a team and be able to create their own dance pieces. Each term students will focus on improving their physical, expressive and technical skills while also having an appreciation for different styles and genres of dance. In year 9 students will also get a glimpse into the KS4 dance specification by looking at the professional dances that are studied and learn small motifs from each. We teach students how to think about creatively choreographing dance pieces while adhering to a particular theme or stimulus and also being able to justify their decisions through oracy and academic language.
Find our Year 9 curriculum statement here.
Find our Year 9 knowledge map here.
Find our Year 9 knowledge organiser here.
KS4 Curriculum
Year 10 and 11 students can opt for the AQA GCSE Dance course, comprising learning/assessment in performance, choreography, dance appreciation and history. Studies connect to the wider professional dance world, providing students with a rich diversity of performance, choreographic and theoretical opportunities to expand their skills, knowledge and understanding. This will provide challenging and up to date experiences which will help them to achieve their full potential, and to make an informed choice about taking Dance studies in Plumstead Manor’s Sixth Form.
KS5 Curriculum
Studying Performing Arts offers a variety of skills to students who have a genuine interest in areas of Drama, Dance, Music and/or theatre production. With an emphasis on practical skills and explorative work, our A level Dance course is tailored to the strengths, skills and interests of its cohort, incorporating a variety of performance / production elements with the academic and theoretical components.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Outburst! is our annual dance show involving students from Years 7-13, in their own choreography plus that of teachers and Dance Club guest choreographers. Dance styles reflect the vibrant diversity of our school and its dancing community; Ballet, Bollywood, Dance Fever, Tap, Nigerian, Nepalese, Irish Dance, and Physical Theatre. All students are encouraged to participate, from back of house, hospitality and technical support on the evening to Marketing, Event Management beforehand.
Dance Clubs
KS3 dance club taught by one of the members of staff developing students’ performance skills and creative ideas for dance. Working towards our annual production OUTBURST
Advanced dance company; students attend a rigorous and challenging program of dance developing the more capable performer, developing dance skills further and striding for excellence. Again working towards OUTBURST and other performance opportunities.
Dance Anthology film club; KS4 students studying GCSE dance must attend this intervention to help develop knowledge for their written exam.
Other mini projects open up throughout the year given students a breath and range of exciting events.
Theatre Trips
To see Contemporary, Ballet, Street, Hip Hop, South Asian and many other dance styles, at local and major international venues such as The Royal Opera House, The 02, and Sadler's Wells Theatre.
