Dance

What is Dance? 

Dance is taught as part of performing arts in KS3 at HASU and allows students to study a range of styles and genres in a practical environment. Dance exists as a standalone subject at KS4 allowing students to develop their performance and choreographic skills as well as learning how to critically appreciate their own work and the work of others. 

Why do we teach Dance at HASU? 

At HASU, we teach Dance to inspire creativity, build confidence, and foster physical and emotional expression. Dance encourages students to connect with themselves and others through movement, while developing discipline, teamwork, and a deep appreciation for the arts. Alongside practical work, our curriculum at Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 includes rich theoretical study that nurtures evaluative and analytical skills—enabling students to critically engage with professional works, reflect on their own practice, and articulate their ideas with clarity and insight. It's not just about technique—it's about empowering every student to move, think, and express with purpose and joy.

How do we teach Dance at Key Stage 4? 

Students will have the option of studying dance at GCSE as part of our broad and balanced Key Stage 4 curriculum. Throughout Key Stage 4 students build skills within three main areas: performance, choreography and dance appreciation.  Students are taught in a practical setting so that even their critical appreciation of professional work can be supported with practical exercises and experimentation.  They are challenged to work independently as well as collaboratively using their observations and own ideas to develop their expressive and technical skills.  We are committed to exposing students to as much live and recorded theatre as possible, nurturing a passion and appreciation of the art form and a physical confidence in a wide range of dance genres. 

What exam board do we study at Key Stage 4? 

Students studying Dance at HASU follow the AQA Specification.

This specification can be found here.

How do we teach Dance at Key Stage 5?

At Key Stage 5, Dance is taught through a carefully balanced programme of 50% practical and 50% theoretical study, ensuring that students develop both their physical and intellectual understanding of the art form. Lessons explore performance, choreography and critical analysis, allowing students to make meaningful connections between practical experience and academic enquiry.

Year 12 and Year 13 are taught together, which provides a dynamic and supportive learning environment. This mixed-year approach allows for peer mentoring, shared exploration and a rich exchange of ideas, as more experienced students model advanced technique and analytical skills for those in their first year.

Students deepen their understanding of professional practice through focused study of Rambert Dance Company and American Jazz Dance, exploring their historical, cultural and stylistic significance. Through practical workshops, creative tasks and critical discussion, students gain insight into the development of these influential genres and how they continue to shape contemporary dance today.

Our aim at Key Stage 5 is to inspire confident, reflective and expressive young dancers who can apply both creative and analytical thinking to their work, preparing them for further study or a future within the performing arts industry.

What exam board do we study at KS5?

AQA - https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/dance/a-level/dance-7237/specification