This is a practically based non-accredited course. You will have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of sports that are selected in line with the requirements at Key Stage 4. This course will develop your personal fitness and practical skills, as well as build your experience in leadership and officiating roles. You will be expected to gain a more in-depth understanding of a range of activities so that you can participate to the best of your ability.

Healthy lifestyle topics will be explored throughout the course to enable you to make informed and appropriate decisions in relation to your personal development and leading a healthy lifestyle. The PE department’s extra-curricular programme lends valuable support to this course.

This is a theory and practically based accredited two-year course. This is a course that will suit those students who have a strong academic level and high practical ability across a range of individual and team sports.

The theory aspect of the course covers the following areas:

Component 1: Fitness and Body Systems:

• Applied anatomy and physiology.
• Movement analysis.
• Physical training.

Component 2: Health and Performance:

• Health, fitness and well-being.
• Sport psychology.
• Socio-cultural influences.

Component 3: Practical Performance:

Practically, you must be competent in three sports, showing high levels of skill, fitness and application of tactics in all three. You may select from a limited list of individual and team sports. As part of the practical element you are required to produce a significant piece of written coursework; a 6 week Personal Exercise Programme.

This is a theory and practically based accredited two-year course. This course is suitable for anyone with a keen interest and consistent experience in Dance.

Learners will study the performance of Dance in a variety of styles and be assessed not only in their application of technical and expressive skills but also their ability to evaluate and improve their performance. Learners’ confidence, discipline and commitment will also be assessed, so good self-management is a must for success on this course. Along with detailed study of the preparation, planning and performance process, learners will also develop knowledge of how to stage, costume and set performances. Learners are assessed through internal and external assessment.

The course comprises of 3 units:

• Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts (30%) – Internally assessed
• Component 2: Developing Skills & Techniques (30%) – Internally assessed
• Component 3: Performing to a brief (40%) – Externally assessed

Continuous assessment will take the form of written assignments, logbooks, audits and practical performances as well as teacher assessment of the learners’ overall approach. Please note that consistent experience in Dance is essential for learners applying for this course.

This is a theory and practically based accredited two-year course. This course is suitable for those students with a keen interest and consistent involvement in sport.

Students will have the opportunity to develop broad knowledge and understanding of the sports industry, and specialist skills and techniques in planning fitness training programmes and recommending nutritional strategies to improve fitness and performance.

The course comprises of:

• Component 1: Understanding the Body and the Supporting Technology for Sport and Activity (30%) – Internally assessed
• Component 2: The Principles of Training, Nutrition, and Psychology for Sport and Activity (40%) – Externally assessed
• Component 3: Applying the principles of Sport and Activity (30%) – Internal synopsis

BTEC Sport students will be expected to take advantage of the wide range of extra-curricular PE activities and organised fixtures, which will contribute to their development of physical fitness, skills and leadership.

You will be able to progress onto the A-Level PE course or the BTEC Level 3 in Sport if you achieve a ‘merit’ or above in the BTEC Tech Award in Sport, Activity and Fitness Level 1/2.

Additional Information

Dance is a powerful and expressive subject which encourages students to develop
their creative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacity.

This qualification recognises the role of dance in young people’s lives and students
will study a range of dance styles and style fusions.

The study of professional works will develop their ability to critically appraise
professional dance works and provide a springboard for engaging in practical tasks
in a skills-based approach.

This is a practical and theory based accredited two-year linear course. This course is
suitable for anyone with a keen interest and passion for Dance as a subject. Please
note that consistent experience in Dance is desirable for learners applying for this
course.

The course is comprised of 2 components:

• Component 1: Performance and choreography (60%) – Internally assessed
• Component 2: Dance appreciation (40%) – Externally assessed

Component 1: Performance (30%) and choreography (30%)

• Set phrases through a solo performance (approximately one minute in
  duration)
• Duet/trio performance (three minutes in a dance which is a maximum of five
  minutes in duration)
• Solo or group choreography – a solo (two to two and a half minutes) or a
  group dance for two to five dancers (three to three and a half minutes)

Component 2: Dance Appreciation (40%) (Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes)

• Knowledge and understanding of choreographic processes and performance
  skills
• Critical appreciation of own work
• Critical appreciation of professional works

A Level Dance

The A Level Dance course is aimed at those students who have a strong interest in the theoretical study and practice of dance. Key areas related to dance performance are explored such as performance, choreography and critical engagement. Students will develop, demonstrate and articulate practical and theoretical knowledge, understanding and experience of:

• technical and performance skills
• the process and art of choreography
• the interrelationship between the creation, presentation and viewing/appreciation of dance works
• the development of dance placed within an artistic and cultural context
• professional dance works and the significance of these works
• subject specific terminology and its use

A record of experience and achievement in dance is a correlative factor of success in this qualification.

Component 1: Performance and Choreography  

• Solo performance linked to a specified practitioner within an area of study
• Performance in a quartet
• Group choreography

Component 2: Critical Engagement  

• Knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of two set works:
  One compulsory set work within the compulsory area of study
  One optional set work within the corresponding area of study, from a choice of four

Learning strategies 

• Learning experiences relate to real-life experiences in dance; historical and current practices of dance
• Commitment to improving performance during private study/rehearsals
• Strong link maintained between the practice of dance and theoretical content
• The study of professional dance works, promoting the integration of theory and practice and underpins students’ own approaches to performance and choreography.
• Learning experiences reflect objectives of performance, choreography and critical thinking
• Homework including examination questions and research
• Self-study using school resources and facilities
• Solo and collaborative tasks/challenges
• Out of school visits, workshops and revision sessions

A LEVEL DANCE  – Subject Guide