SQA INFORMATION

Here at Glasgow School of ballet we are very proud to offer SQA National Qualifications in Dance. We offer both National 5 and Higher levels and we run these programmes of study as extra-curricular classes allowing our pupils to have the benefit of an additional qualification to their school subjects.

Things you need to know:

The SQA programme of study is a National Qualification like any other qualification achieved through other settings (like your main school).

The National 5 and Higher Dance course should be approached like any other National 5 and Higher subject. For example, you would not miss school for a concert or a sports game, therefore it is imperative our National 5 and Higher classes are respected in the same manner.

The workload is relative to any other NQ course, but we do our upmost to cover most of the course within our classes. But there will be the expectation that work will be done at home, this will mostly include the write up of the Choreography Review.

Our current pupils have all managed to add this qualification on along with their commitments to their schoolwork and none of them found the extra commitment unmanageable.

The cost for this programme of study covers absolutely everything outlined in the PowerPoint plus any additional classes etc. Please do not let the cost be a barrier for participation and please get in touch as we will do everything we can to arrange a payment options that feels more manageable.

The course inspires and challenges candidates by giving them the opportunity to create, appreciate and perform dance. Candidates use knowledge and understanding of dance techniques and choreographic skills to inform practice and develop skills in appreciating and evaluating dance practice and theatre arts.

Candidates learn how to use dance techniques and choreography creatively to enhance performance. They experiment with a range of dance styles and learn how to apply them to enhance their own performances and the performances of others. Candidates also explore the use of theatre arts in dance.

The course is largely candidate-centred, with practical and experiential learning opportunities. The learning experiences are flexible and adaptable, with opportunities for personalisation and choice. This makes the qualification accessible to the needs and aspirations of a diverse range of candidates.

While other organisations offer this course, we recommend our own programme as it gives Glasgow School of Ballet pupils the opportunity to work with peers of a similar dance level which allows them to choreograph to the standard of their own technique and skills.

The course is split into 3 parts:

Technical skills, Choreography and Written Assessment. The technical skills and choreography is assessed by a visiting assessor and the written component is assessed during the exam diet.

Technical Skills

Students develop technical skills in either 1 or 2 dance genres through regular class work and studies/amalgamation. From viewing this work students will evaluate technical dance skills in their own, peers, and professional work.

Students will also undertake contextual study into chosen dance styles by comparing the technical skills and characteristics of their one/two selected dance styles and by analysing the history and development, social and cultural influences on those selected dance styles.

Choreography

In these sessions students will take part in a series of workshops learning about, and demonstrating knowledge of theme and stimulus and, appropriate to a dance for three or more people, complex choreographic structures, devices and spatial patterns. We will watch professional pieces of choreography to analyse the impact of theatre arts in choreography and to evaluate the impact of complex choreographic principles used in dance. From this knowledge and understanding students will apply choreographic principles to create a choreographed dance by:

investigating a chosen theme or stimulus, planning a short choreography for a group of people using a range of appropriate complex choreographic devices and structures, and finally developing and presenting the short choreography for a group. The process will be documented in a choreographic plan supporting decision made during the process and documenting the journey.

Written Exam

Students sit a written paper under exam conditions as part of the SQA exam diet. This covers 2 chosen dance styles, their characteristics, history, social and cultural factors as well as students understanding of technique and performance aspects within these styles. The second section covers a chosen professional dance piece and choreographic knowledge of this piece.

Course Assessment:

• Solos - Students perform their 1 or 2 solo dances for a visiting assessor on the day of the exam.
• Choreography – students create a piece which is performed for the visiting assessor on the exam day along with the choreographic review (written project supporting the piece).
• Written Exam – students sit a written paper under exam conditions as part of the SQA exam timetable. At Glasgow School of Ballet, we set up Partnership Agreements with the candidate's main school.

SQA Approved

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