A Level
Course Overview
Have you ever wanted to create your own imaginative dances and to explore the movement style of famous choreographers through the analysis of fascinating dance works?
Practical training will enhance your physical fitness, technical precision, and performance quality, while nurturing your unique choreographic voice You’ll also study influential dance practitioners and explore dance’s rich cultural and historical contexts, gaining a deeper understanding of how movement communicates meaning and emotion across different styles and eras. Beyond dance, this course sharpens your creative thinking, collaboration, and critical analysis- skills valued in many careers. A-Level Dance isn’t just a course- it’s a transformative journey into the art of movement and expression. Ready to dance towards your future?
ASSESSMENT
- Practical Assessment: 50%
- Exam: 50%
- Awarding Body: AQA
COURSE CONTENT
Component 1: Performance and Choreography
(Practical – 50% of A-level)
- Solo Performance (Jazz Style: Jerome Robbins)
- Performance in a Quartet (Contemporary Style)
- Choreography
Component 2: Critical Engagement
(Written Exam – 2 hours 30 minutes, 50% of A-level)
For the written exam you will study:
- Two set works which are ‘Rooster’ by Christopher Bruce and ‘Appalachian Spring’ by Martha Graham.
- The history of Rambert Dance Company.
- The history of Modern Dance in America.
BEGIN – IS THIS COURSE RIGHT FOR ME?
To succeed in A-Level Dance, you’ll need strong technical skills and a solid foundation, ideally gained through GCSE Dance, BTEC Dance, or BTEC Performing Arts. However, if you’ve trained regularly at a private dance school, you’re just as welcome. What matters most is passion, creativity, and the drive to push yourself both technically and artistically. You should also enjoy working collaboratively, as ensemble performance is central to the course.
BELONG – WHY STUDY THIS WITH US?
If dance is in your DNA, this is where your journey truly begins. At the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, A-Level Dance offers more than exceptional training—it’s a launchpad for your future in the performing arts. You’ll be part of a vibrant, supportive community where you can grow in confidence, resilience, and creativity, preparing you for both the arts and the wider world of work.
Learning goes far beyond the classroom. You’ll perform in professional theatres during our annual showcase, take part in real-world dance projects, and have the chance to join the college musical as part of our dance ensemble. Industry-led workshops, often run by former students now working professionally, give you valuable insights into careers in dance. For those interested in teaching, there are opportunities to lead workshops in local primary schools. Alongside this, you’ll benefit from personalised audition coaching and progression guidance to prepare for conservatoire training, university, or professional performance.
BEYOND – WHERE CAN THIS COURSE TAKE ME?
Our A-Level Dance graduates have progressed to some of the UK’s top performing arts institutions, including LIPA, London Studio Centre, Bird College, Mountview, Urdang, Laine Theatre Arts, Italia Conti, and the London Contemporary Dance School. From there, they’ve built exciting careers as professional dancers, musical theatre performers, cruise ship entertainers, choreographers, teachers, company directors, and arts leaders worldwide. This course is your chance to transform passion into a profession.
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