Staff

• Miss L MacNeill (PT)

Aims of the Unit

The unit aims to become a centre of excellence offering a variety of dance styles to students who have the talent and wish to become vocational dancers. In addition they wish to be able to provide dance training provision to non-specialist local students.

The students dance training takes second place to their academic studies. Students who participate in the programme have to agree to attend a homework club to ensure that their academic work does not suffer. Should a student fall behind the participation in the dance programme is curtailed.

S1 and S2

Students receive seven hours training per week (three hours during class time, an hour after school on a Wednesday and two hours after school on a Friday). The additional Wednesday training is to build strength in the earlier years and for extra ballet. In S1 the students focus primarily on ballet, jazz and contemporary. In S2 the pupils also study tap and choreography.

Towards the end of each year the students are assessed and their progress is evaluated. If the teachers feel that the student is not making suitable progress and that they are not capable of progressing to the next level we will provide guidance and support to help the student consider their options.

S3 - Intermediate 2

Intermediate 2 Dance will provide the pupils with NQ units and is a progression for Higher Dance. The students study Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Jazz and Choreography in depth.

S4 - Higher Dance Practice

Higher Dance Practice is an intensive course and pupils must be dedicated if they are to reach the standard to successfully pass all the learning outcomes, choreograph a group dance, learn the set technical studies for their exam and complete the written work.
   

S5 and S6 – Advanced Higher Dance