IB Dance

Anna Fielding, Director of IB, writes:

With 250 pupils in the school taking dance lessons it is a natural fit to be offering Dance as an academic subject. Just as top sports players understand the academic foundations of their subject in Sports Science, pupils can take Dance as a part of their IB Diploma.

‘I jumped at the opportunity to take Dance as one of my IB subjects. I have learnt so much about choreography and the story behind each dance. This course has allowed me to explore my creativity.’Pietro Pesenti, Sixth Former 

The Dance Shows have always been a showcase for high standards of performance. With 40% of the Dance grade examined by performance pupils can capitalise on their talents from the stage.  

But it’s not just about performing. Pupils gain transferable academic skills through analysing and reflecting on dance practices that are new to them. For example, this year pupils took part in a flamenco workshop to prepare for a 2,500-word investigation into the historic contexts of dance cultures. This was a very new experience for the pupils and helped them develop analytical skills, exploring a Spanish dance with folkloric traditions and then comparing it to a dance style more familiar to them, such as classical ballet. These academic skills can be brought into their other subjects, for example when analysing poetry in the English classroom. Wider skills are also evident: leadership when choreographing and leading their peers, collaboration as they work together to refine their performance in rehearsals.  

‘I chose to study dance as part of my IB Diploma because I really enjoy performing arts and thought it would be a great new experience, choreographing my own pieces and learning a more about the background of some dance styles in various cultures. I have found this course very beneficial for my creative analytical skills.’ROwan Campbell, Sixth Former 

As part of his Dance coursework Pietro Pesenti has choreographed a piece which will performed by a range of his fellow pupils in Apsley 

‘I chose to study Dance because I enjoy expressing my emotion through the form of dance. This course allows me to do what I really love, especially choregraphing my own pieces and teaching others, which I find very exciting!’Diana Khairetdinova, Sixth Former 

For some, Higher Level (HL) Dance might be a pathway to a future career in performance, particularly when matched with HL Theatre and HL English. For others it’s an interesting addition to their Diploma as a Standard Level subject alongside HLs in Economics or Languages. We look forward to seeing pupils’ continue to shine in Dance.