Regulation

GCE subject-level conditions and requirements for dance (2022)

Published 11 November 2021

Applies to England

Introduction

About this document

This document is part of a suite of documents which sets out the regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering reformed A levels and AS qualifications in 2022.

We have developed all our requirements for GCE qualifications with the intention that AS and A level qualifications should fulfil the purposes set out below.

For A levels:

• define and assess achievement of the knowledge, skills and understanding which will be needed by students planning to progress to undergraduate study at a UK higher education establishment, particularly (although not only) in the same subject area
• set out a robust and internationally comparable post-16 academic course of study to develop that knowledge, skills and understanding
• permit UK universities to accurately identify the level of attainment of students
• provide a basis for school and college accountability measures at age 18
• provide a benchmark of academic ability for employers

For AS qualifications:

• provide evidence of students’ achievements in a robust and internationally comparable post-16 course of study that is a sub-set of A level content
• enable students to broaden the range of subjects they study

Requirements set out in this document

This document sets out the GCE Subject Level Conditions for Dance (2022). These conditions will come into effect at 09:30 on 12 November 2021 for the following qualifications:

• all GCE A levels in Dance
• all standalone GCE AS qualifications in Dance

for Learners completing the qualification in 2022, except where the General Qualifications Alternative Awarding Framework applies

It also sets out our requirements in relation to:

• interpretation of the content document – an awarding organisation must comply with these requirements under Condition GCE(Dance)1.1(c)
• assessment objectives – awarding organisations must comply with these requirements under Condition GCE(Dance)1.2
• assessment – awarding organisations must comply with these requirements under Condition GCE(Dance)2.3

With respect to the qualifications listed above in 2022, awarding organisations must also comply with:

• our General Conditions of Recognition, which apply to all awarding organisations and qualifications
• our GCE Qualification Level Conditions and Requirements
• All relevant Regulatory Documents

With respect to GCE qualifications in Dance taken by Learners completing the qualification in 2023 and after, an awarding organisation must continue to comply with the GCE Subject Level Conditions and Requirements for Dance.

Subject Level Conditions

GCE Subject Level Conditions for Dance

Condition GCE(Dance)1: Compliance with content requirements

GCE(Dance)1.1

In respect of each GCE Qualification in Dance which it makes available, or proposes to make available, an awarding organisation must –

1. (a) comply with the requirements relating to that qualification set out in the document published by the Secretary of State entitled ‘GCE AS and A level subject content for dance’, document reference DFE-00692-2014,
2. (b) have regard to any recommendations or guidelines relating to that qualification set out in that document, and
3. (c) interpret that document in accordance with any requirements, and having regard to any guidance, which may be published by Ofqual and revised from time to time.

GCE(Dance)1.2

In respect of each GCE Qualification in Dance which it makes available, or proposes to make available, an awarding organisation must comply with any requirements, and have regard to any guidance, relating to the objectives to be met by any assessment for that qualification which may be published by Ofqual and revised from time to time.

Condition GCE(Dance)2: Assessment

GCE(Dance)2.1

Condition GCE4.1 does not apply to any GCE Qualification in Dance which an awarding organisation makes available or proposes to make available.

GCE(Dance)2.2

In respect of the total marks available for a GCE Qualification in Dance which it makes available, an awarding organisation must ensure that –

1. (a) 50 per cent of those marks are made available through Assessments by Examination, and
2. (b) 50 per cent of those marks are made available through assessments set by the awarding organisation that are not Assessments by Examination.

GCE(Dance)2.3

An awarding organisation must ensure that in respect of each assessment for a GCE Qualification in Dance which it makes available which is not an Assessment by Examination it complies with any requirements, and has regard to any guidance, which may be published by Ofqual and revised from time to time.

Requirements in relation to subject content for GCE Dance

Requirements in relation to subject content for GCE Qualifications in Dance

The subject content for GCE Qualifications in Dance is set out in the Department for Education’s Dance GCE AS and A level subject content, document reference DFE-00692-2014 (the ‘Content Document’).

Condition GCE(Dance)1.1(c) requires awarding organisations to interpret the Content Document in line with any requirements, and having regard to any guidance, published by Ofqual.

We set out our requirements for the purposes of Condition GCE(Dance)1.1(c) below.

Group work

An awarding organisation must interpret the Content Document as if it contains no requirement for a Learner to –

1. (a) perform as part of a group,
2. (b) demonstrate the expected features related to other dancers and performance as part of an ensemble where not performing as part of a group, or
3. (c) in relation to A level –
   1. (i) choreograph a dance for more than one dancer, or
   2. (ii) develop ideas in communication with other dancers as part of the choreography assessment.

Assessment objectives

Assessment objectives – GCE Qualifications in Dance

Condition GCE(Dance)1.2 allows us to specify requirements relating to the objectives to be met by any assessment for GCE Qualifications in Dance.

The assessment objectives set out below constitute requirements for the purposes of Condition GCE(Dance)1.2. Awarding organisations must comply with these requirements in relation to all GCE Qualifications in Dance they make available.

Assessment objective	Description	A level weighting	AS weighting
AO1	Perform dance through the application of physical, technical, interpretative and performance skills	25%	25%
AO2	Create dance, applying choreographic skills, to communicate artistic intention	25%	25%
AO3	Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of performance and choreography from different periods and genres	20 to 25%	25 to 30%
AO4	Critically appreciate and assess performance and choreography, through making analytical, interpretative and evaluative judgements.	25 to 30%	20 to 25%

Assessment requirements

Requirements in relation to assessments for GCE Qualifications in Dance

Condition GCE(Dance)2.3 allows us to specify requirements and guidance in relation to assessments which are not Assessments by Examination for GCE Qualifications in Dance.

We set out our requirements for the purposes of Condition GCE(Dance)2.3 below.

Forms of non-examination assessment

The requirements in this section apply to all GCE Qualifications in Dance which an awarding organisation makes available or proposes to make available.

Condition GCE(Dance)2.2(b) states that an awarding organisation must ensure that of the total marks available for a GCE Qualification in Dance, 50 per cent of those marks shall be made available through assessments set by the awarding organisation which are not Assessments by Examination.

In respect of that 50 per cent, an awarding organisation must ensure that –

1. (a) 25 per cent of the total marks available for the qualification are made available through two tasks which assess a Learner’s knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to performance (the ‘Performance Assessment’), and
2. (b) 25 per cent of the total marks available for the qualification are made available through a task which assesses of a Learner’s knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to choreography (the ‘Choreography Assessment’).

The Performance Assessment (A level)

The requirements in this section apply to GCE A level qualifications in Dance which an awarding organisation makes available or proposes to make available.

An awarding organisation must ensure that each Performance Assessment is designed and set to –

1. (a) require each Learner to perform –
   1. (i) a solo dance of between one minute and 30 seconds and three minutes in duration, and
   2. (ii) either –
      1. (A) a different solo dance of between one minute and 30 seconds and four minutes in duration, or
      2. (B) a dance of between two and four minutes in duration as part of a duo, trio or quartet,
2. (b) be taken under conditions specified by the awarding organisation, including, in particular, conditions which ensure that the evidence generated by each Learner can be Authenticated, and
3. (c) assess assessment objective AO1 in its entirety.

An awarding organisation must not communicate the task that it has set for the Performance Assessment to Centres before 1 September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken.

In respect of each Performance Assessment, an awarding organisation must ensure that the Centre which delivered the assessment provides the awarding organisation with a complete and unedited audio-visual recording of the evidence generated in that assessment. That recording must be made from the perspective of the audience.

The Performance Assessment (AS)

The following requirements in this section apply to GCE AS qualifications in Dance which an awarding organisation makes available or proposes to make available.

An awarding organisation must ensure that each Performance Assessment is designed and set to –

1. (a) require each Learner to perform –
   1. (i) a solo dance of between one minute and 30 seconds and three minutes in duration which has been choreographed by the Learner, and
   2. (ii) either –
      1. (A) a different solo dance of between one minute and thirty seconds and three minutes in duration, or
      2. (B) a dance of between two and three minutes in duration as part of a duo or trio,
2. (b) be taken under conditions specified by the awarding organisation, including, in particular, conditions which ensure that the evidence generated by each Learner can be Authenticated, and
3. (c) assess assessment objective AO1 in its entirety.

An awarding organisation must not communicate the task that it has set for the Performance Assessment to Centres before 1 September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken.

In respect of each Performance Assessment, an awarding organisation must ensure that the Centre which delivered the assessment provides the awarding organisation with a complete and unedited audiovisual recording of the evidence generated in that assessment. That recording must be made from the perspective of the audience.

The Choreography Assessment (A level)

The requirements in this section apply to GCE A level qualifications in Dance which an awarding organisation makes available or proposes to make available.

An awarding organisation must ensure that each Choreography Assessment is designed and set to –

1. (a) require each Learner to choreograph a complete dance of between two and four minutes in duration for between one and five dancers,
2. (b) require each Learner to explain his or her choreographic intent with respect to his or her dance and how that choreographic intent was developed,
3. (c) be taken under conditions specified by the awarding organisation, including, in particular, conditions which ensure that the evidence generated by each Learner can be Authenticated, and
4. (d) assess assessment objective AO2 in its entirety.

An awarding organisation must not communicate the task that it has set for the Choreography Assessment to Centres before 1 September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken.

In respect of each Choreography Assessment, an awarding organisation must ensure that the Centre which delivered the assessment provides the awarding organisation with either –

1. (a) a complete and unedited audio-visual recording of the dance choreographed by the Learner made from the perspective of the audience, or
2. (b) alternative evidence to illustrate the intended final dance choreographed by the Learner, the Learner’s choreographic intent and how that was developed. Such evidence may include –
   1. (i) audio-visual recordings of a complete performance,
   2. (ii) audio-visual recordings of physical demonstration(s) of key motifs with explanation of how they inform the final piece,
   3. (iii) original and non-original photographs, images, drawings or sketches with annotations to illustrate intentions,
   4. (iv) written accounts, and/or
   5. (v)a video diary.

It is not required that a Learner perform the dance which he or she has choreographed.

The Choreography Assessment (AS)

The following requirements in this section apply to GCE AS qualifications in Dance which an awarding organisation makes available or proposes to make available.

An awarding organisation must ensure that each Choreography Assessment is designed and set to –

1. (a) require each Learner to choreograph a complete solo dance of between one minute and thirty seconds and three minutes in duration,
2. (b) require each Learner to explain his or her choreographic intent with respect to his or her dance and how that choreographic intent was developed,
3. (c) be taken under conditions specified by the awarding organisation, including, in particular, conditions which ensure that the evidence generated by each Learner can be Authenticated, and
4. (d) assess assessment objective AO2 in its entirety.

An awarding organisation must not communicate the task that it has set for the Choreography Assessment to Centres before 1 September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken.

In respect of each Choreography Assessment, an awarding organisation must ensure that the Centre which delivered the assessment provides the awarding organisation with either –

1. (a) a complete and unedited audiovisual recording of the dance choreographed by the Learner, made from the perspective of the audience, or
2. (b) a programme note and/or alternative evidence to illustrate the intended final dance choreographed by the Learner, the Learner’s choreographic intent and how that was developed. Such evidence may include –
   1. (i) audio-visual recordings of a complete performance,
   2. (ii) audio-visual recordings of physical demonstration(s) of key motifs with explanation of how they inform the final piece,
   3. (iii) original and non-original photographs, images, drawings or sketches with annotations to illustrate intentions,
   4. (iv) written accounts, and/or
   5. (v) a video diary.

Marking of assessments

The requirements in this section apply to all GCE Qualifications in Dance which an awarding organisation makes available or proposes to make available.

An awarding organisation must ensure that the evidence generated by each Learner in each assessment for a GCE Qualification in Dance which it makes available is marked by:

1. (a) that awarding organisation or a person connected to that awarding organisation
2. (b) by the Centre in which the assessment is taken, or
3. (c) by a combination of (a) and (b).

An awarding organisation must demonstrate to Ofqual’s satisfaction in its assessment strategy that –

1. (a) it has taken all reasonable steps to identify the risk of any Adverse Effect which may result from its approach to marking of the assessments (and to moderation where appropriate), and
2. (b) where such a risk is identified, it has taken all reasonable steps to prevent that Adverse Effect or, where it cannot be prevented, to mitigate that Adverse Effect.