Ethos

At The Cottesloe School, we believe the Performing Arts are a vital reflection of our history, national identity, and community. Dance is fundamental to the personal development of our young people; it is a discipline that has the power to unite students, promote equality, and transcend difference. We are committed to providing an ambitious curriculum that ignites curiosity and instills a lifelong appreciation for the Arts. Our ethos is rooted in the conviction that the experiences afforded through movement and design in space shape students’ characters and remain with them throughout their lives.

Intent

Our curriculum is designed to move students through a progressive Cottesloe Journey, focusing on the mastery of skills and the development of the 6Cs learning behaviours to ensure success both within the curriculum and in life beyond school.

Key Stage 3

Is taught under the PE curriculum in Year 7 and 8.  The Year 9 course allows students to experience the GCSE core skills of performance, choreography and appreciation of dance in a selection of different styles and genres.

Key Stage 4

We intend for students to aspire to excellence at GCSE by further developing their choreographic, performance and appreciation skills.  They will explore six professional dance works in terms of the movement components and technical compositions, create original dances inspired from a stimulus and perform with physical, technical and expressive control.   

Beyond the Classroom

Our intent is to bridge the gap between education and the professional world. This is achieved through:

• A dedicated dance company IGNITE
• The opportunity to apply specialist training in sound and lighting design to choreographic work.
• Student-led workshops at feeder schools and bespoke INSPIRE community performances.
• Theatre trips and in-school performance and technical experiences.
• Annual participation in community festivals

Careers in the Performing Arts – Dance

Creative & Performance

• Performance: Professional Dancer (Contemporary, Commercial, West End, Ballet), Backing Dancer, Acrobat/Physical Theatre Performer.
• Creation: Choreographer, Movement Director, Rehearsal Director, Dance Captain.
• Media: Dance on Screen Director/Filmmaker, Dance Photographer, Digital Content Creator.

Technical & Design

• Technical Theatre: Lighting Designer (crucial for dance productions), Sound Engineer, Rigging Specialist (for aerial works).
• Design: Costume Designer (specialising in dancewear and movement), Set/Stage Designer, Hair and Makeup Artist.
• Management: Stage Manager, Deputy Stage Manager (DSM), Touring/Production Manager.

Business & Leadership

• Arts Administration: Artistic Director, General Manager, Arts Administrator.
• Promotion: Arts Marketing & PR, Social Media Manager for the Arts, Arts Fundraising & Development.
• Operations: Front of House Manager, Box Office Manager, Event Management.

Education & Wellbeing

• Education: Drama Teacher, Workshop Facilitator, Creative Learning Coordinator 
• Therapy: Drama Therapist, Music Therapist, Dance/Movement Therapist.
• Community: Community Arts Worker, Youth Theatre Leader.

Transferable Industries

• Law & Advocacy: Barrister or Solicitor (utilising public speaking and persuasion).
• Communications: Public Relations (PR), Public Speaking Coach, Sales and Negotiation.
• Events: Festival Coordinator, Wedding and Corporate Event Planner.