Vision Statement
Our mission is to instil a great love of dance, while inspiring self-confidence, discipline and respect of the performing arts. We provide a solid technical foundation for the developing dancer and our vision is aligned with that of the whole school, which is to strive to be the best dance department in the country.
We appreciate that the heart of a dancer is born into many different bodies and the love of dance can take on many different styles. We will develop well-prepared dancers, should they choose to pursue the arts professionally or are college bound. Once a dancer, always a dancer, dance is something students can come back to during all stages of their lives. We create a safe, happy environment for all students to progress and grow as creative cognitive learners.
Intent
We believe that dance has the ability to inspire a creative mind that is curious and open to new experiences. At this key point in their personal development children are learning to become adults. We believe that channelling their creativity at this time is vital to them discovering their own voice and place in the world. Our intent with our lessons is to give the students key Dance vocabulary and Performance skills that they will go on to use in both GCSE Dance and their future, building confidence, communication and resilience.
Implementation
All students in Key Stage three receive two lessons a week of dance this provides our students with the breadth & depth necessary to offer a balanced and well delivered curriculum. Schemes of work have been designed to start with the basic Dance skills and escalate in challenge. Schemes are planned departmentally and open to adaptation as the current GCSE Dance specification moves with the current dance times.
At Key Stage four creativity is at the core of the curriculum and at the heart of its delivery. We work with various styles of dance within a class or choreography to encourage every possible improvement in the individual. Whether we are working with students new to dance or an experienced artist we aim to stretch the dancers’ abilities and help them push the boundaries of their potential.
We aim to create an environment where students take pleasure in the challenge of creating practical work and the journey of discovery that evolves as students take ownership of their own learning and the pride that this brings them.
Impact
As a result of the quality of the curriculum and teaching and learning in Dance, we are proud to celebrate that students at Romero’s receive an education in Dance that is truly first class. Our results over time are illustrated in the table below.
| % 4 (standard pass) | % 5 (strong pass) | Progress 8 | Attainment 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 50% | 17% | -0.61 | 3.7 |
| 2019 | 77% | 65% | +0.23 | 5.2 |
| 2020 | 100% | 96% | N/A | 7.0 |
| 2021 | 100% | 100% | N/A | 7.4 |
| 2022 | 100% | 100% | +2.58 | 7.2 |
| 2023 | 100% | 100% | +1.97 | 6.67 |
GCSE Dance helps students to develop technical and expressive skills as well as knowledge and understanding of dance through performance, choreography and critical appreciation.As a teacher it is rewarding to see our students build life skills, relationships with their peers and explore creativity through dance. Within the department the student Dance faculty are able to make efficient decisions to lead the lower school through choreography within our extra-curricular club and school productions.
Our GCSE results from last year’s cohort were 100% in levels 4+ with outstanding results of 75% reaching levels 7-9.
Inspiration
The Dance department at St Oscar Romero’s aim is to provide a varied and inclusive learning experience, enabling aspiring dancers to develop their talents as well as challenging themselves to push boundaries.
Alongside offering Dance clubs to all which ignites a creative passion for the arts, building cultural capital through trips & live performances.
The dance department auditions an elite group of Gifted and Talented dancers each year and awarding them a place within the Romero Dance Company. This company meets for extra rehearsals and are used as inspiration to other students performing in KS3 assemblies and liturgies.
Within the dance department we have links with professional dance companies who work collaboratively with the students to create a commissioned piece of choreography. This supports building our cultural capital within our dance profile at St Romeros and within our community. We invited local companies such as James Wilton Dance Company to enhance our students’ professionalism and allow them to create.
The career pathway within the department allows for ties with local colleges and updated information through connections utilising the Pillars of Possibility presenter pathway. Enhancing the cultural capital further we offer auditions and recommendations to the Centre of Advanced Training at Laban Music and Dance Conservatoire.