Performing Arts; Dance BTEC Extended Certificate

Applications open: 20 November 2026

Application deadline: 12th February 2027 (Late applications continue to be acknowledged until results day)

Entry Requirements: - 5 x GCSEs Grade 4-9 including English. Maths desirable. Please see individual courses for subject entry requirements. Please visit our website for more information https://www.maplesden.kent.sch.uk/830/welcome

Subject Choices: - You will need to select a minimum of 3 subjects to study and these can be a mixture of A Levels and BTECs with SEFA addition to your full time studies.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Investigating Practitioners' Work (Externally Assessed Unit)

Why do choreographers create the work they do? How do social change, historical events, and cultural influences shape dance past and present? In this unit, students delve into the work of significant dance practitioners, exploring the creative processes, stylistic features, and contextual influences that inform their productions. Through analysing professional works students develop a deeper appreciation of dance as an art form while building the research, evaluation, and critical thinking skills valued in both higher education and the creative industries.

Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance

Step into the role of a professional performer as you rehearse, refine, and present work for a live audience. Students explore a range of performance styles, including musical theatre and professional dance repertoire, developing the technical, artistic, and communication skills required for successful performance. Through collaborative rehearsals, performance opportunities, and reflective practice, students learn how to respond to feedback, set personal goals, and continually improve their work. This unit fosters resilience, creativity, teamwork, and professional discipline.

Group Performance Workshop (Externally Assessed Unit)

Working in groups of 5-7, students create and perform an original dance piece in response to a set stimulus. This unit develops choreographic, performance, and collaborative skills, while also requiring students to reflect on and evaluate their creative process through a written assessment.

Contemporary Dance Technique

Students participate in regular contemporary dance technique classes, developing their technical, expressive, and performance skills while exploring the evolution of contemporary dance. They will study the work of influential historical and contemporary practitioners, gaining an understanding of their distinctive styles and artistic approaches. Students complete an independent research project, alongside regular target-setting and reflective reviews to support their progress. The unit culminates in the performance of a group dance inspired by a chosen practitioner, allowing students to apply a range of contemporary dance techniques and demonstrate their artistic and performance development.

Assessment is varied and predominantly practical, including performances, rehearsals, workshops, research projects, reflective logbooks, skills audits, and target setting. Students are also assessed on their professional working practices, personal management, and ability to evaluate and develop their own performance skills.

Each unit has specified criteria which are used for grading. An end of unit grade can be awarded at pass, merit or distinction.

This course provides learners with the opportunity to develop all-round performance skills such as self-confidence, self-presentation, personal discipline, time management and organisational skills, which are highly regarded by higher education and employers.

4-9 in GCSE Dance or Merit or higher in BTEC Drama/Dance or for students who did not have the opportunity to study dance at GCSE but have danced in clubs and groups outside of school, we would be happy to discuss your options moving forward on our course. Please contact us.

* Become a Performing Arts Ambassador (prefect)

* Take part in the annual production

* Be nominated (and maybe win!) an Oscars award and attend the special Oscars ceremony annually

* Maplesden Dance company (competition entries group)