Mascalls Academy

We aim to provide a broad and balanced dance curriculum that inspires and promotes creativity. Students should expect to enjoy their dance through a safe and comfortable working environment instilled by the teacher and students. The following skills are developed and refined during every lesson: Confidence Responsibility Trust Team Work Leadership Skills Communication Motivation Social Problem Solving Body Awareness The department strives to create an equal curriculum where boys and girls can achieve success. Differentiation is vital to all lessons as it allows all students to achieve. Every child is seen as an individual and is treated as such. The schemes of work are designed to achieve the department's aim. The schemes are changed yearly to allow for the ever-changing dance world to be brought into the classroom. Dance is compulsory at Key Stage three and the students participate once a week. It is then an option at GCSE where the department boasts excellent examination results gaining 80% A*-C last year. We also offer the BTEC in Performing Arts. This is a combined Dance and Drama course, where students can specialise in one area. This is worth 4 GCSE grades. From here they can carry dance on into the 6th form. We offer the Applied A-Level in Dance. This is an exciting and innovative course that allows students to develop their performance skills as well as their choreography and their analytical skills. This A-Level is portfolio based and therefore it really develops the students' ability to discuss, analysis, evaluate, and debate in relation to the professional dance world and their own skill level. The course allows students to gain a deep understanding of the dance world, job opportunities and further training that may be required. Last year we gained 100% A-B grades in Year 12 and Year 13. We also offer the BTEC in Dance. This is worth two A-Levels if done over a two year period. This explores a variety of dance styles, where students can explore musical theatre, jazz, ballet and contemporary. The course allows students to explore and develop their choreographic skills as well as looking at the professional dance industry. Over the past two years of running this course we have achieved 100% A grades. Many of our students have gone onto university to study dance at degree level. Last year seven of our Year 13 students went to a number of universities from Chichester, Roehampton, Surrey and Kingston. Two of our dance students who have gone to Lincoln University to study Drama and Architecture are now presidents of the University's Dance Society and are putting on their own dance show later this year. This year two of our Year 12 boys auditioned and were accepted to attend weekly classes at the Laban Centre. This is one of the top contemporary dance schools in the country and we are extremely proud of Jack Humphrey and Ryan Tierney. Two more of our year 12 students are auditioning later on this year.