Welcome to Performing Arts- Dance

The primary intent of our Year 7 dance curriculum is to provide students with a rich and engaging learning experience that nurtures their artistic talents, enhances their physical and mental well-being, and equips them with valuable skills and knowledge to work harmoniously with others. In Year 7, our Dance curriculum is designed to ignite a love for movement and storytelling, captivating the world of Musical Theatre, inspired by iconic productions such as ‘The Greatest Showman’ and ‘Matilda’. Through engaging lessons and practical activities students will develop essential skills in dance technique, choreography and performance, while discovering the role of movements in conveying character, emotions and narrative.

Proud Values

In the art of Dance, we teach Professionalism to shine through every step, embodying discipline and dedication in both rehearsal and performance.

With Resilience as our backbone, we teach students to rise to challenges and take risks, pushing boundaries to master new skills and movements.

We teach Optimism to fuel our passion for movement, infusing each performance with joy, confidence and possibility.

Understanding the power of expression and diversity, we teach students to respect each other’s capabilities, listen to each other’s voices and embrace the diverse talents we each have, to create a united performance.

Driven by our passion for movement, we teach students to perfect their technique, express their creativity and push the boundaries of artistic expression.

Proudly, we teach students to showcase not just their talents but their commitment to excellence, celebrating every moment of their progress along the way.

We believe our Year 7 Dance curriculum enables students to explore the dynamic world of dance through a diverse range of offerings including musical theatre, thematic explorations and dance styles form around the globe, providing exciting opportunities to unleash creativity by encouraging students to choreograph their own routines.

Teaching staff and facilities

The subject of Dance is taught by our experienced Dance teacher Mrs Nyberg and is held in our spacious gym with mirrored walls. Adjacent changing rooms are provided for Dance students only, ensuring convenience and comfort. Nearby in our main hall we have a large stage, equipped with professional lights and sound, setting the scene for some unforgettable performances. Dance clubs are held by Mrs Nyberg for Year 7 to Year 9 students after school in Street Dance and or contemporary Dance.

Curriculum Map for Year 7

Dance, Drama and Music lessons are taught on a termly rotation. Students will spend 1 term in each discipline receiving a double lesson each week. 

Yr7 Dance Rotation 1	Our first topic is Musical Theatre. Students will study the musical ‘Matilda’ and learn a set piece to ‘Revolting Children’ using chairs as props. Students will work on a class choreography directed by the teacher and will have opportunity to add their own creative choreography. Students will learn about timing and rhythm and characterisation and develop their physical and expressive skills. Students will perform at the end of the rotation to another performing Arts group in class time. During this unit students will learn to communicate a theme and character.
	Musical theatre is a fun and engaging genre of theatre where music plays a major role in moving the story forward. Studying this unit helps students to learn how to communicate clearly, expressively, and confidently and bring a song to life through dance and acting. This unit is predominantly teacher directed to inform choreographic content and structure to beginner learners but allows for additional student input. This Musical is suitable for the age range and interests of Year 7 and links to their Musical Trip. Links directly to unit 1 Musical Theatre in Year 10 and loosely to unit 2 creating (Theme based).
Yr7 Dance Rotation 2	Our second topic is Musical Theatre Students will study the musical ‘The Greatest Showman’ and learn a set piece to ‘The Greatest Show’ using Top Hats as props. Students will work on a class choreography directed by the teacher and will have opportunity to add their own choreography to develop their creative skills. Students will learn about timing and rhythm and showmanship and further develop their physical and expressive skills.  Students will perform at the end of the rotation to another performing Arts group in class time.
	Studying this unit helps students to learn how to communicate clearly, expressively, and confidently and bring a song to life through dance and acting. This unit is predominantly teacher directed to inform choreographic content and structure of beginner learners but allows for additional student input. This Musical is suitable for the age range and interests of Year 7 and links to unit 1 Musical Theatre in Year 10.

Extra-curricular opportunities

Our Street Dance club is run by Mrs Nyberg
All students have the opportunity to perform in the annual Dance show.
All students have the opportunity to audition for our school musical.
Year 7 students will be involved in a performance for the Haverhill Heroes event held in July, in either Dance, Drama or Music.