Route map through learning, teaching and
assessment
Course: Dance
Level: Higher
This route map is intended to assist staff in planning and delivering the overall vision for Curriculum for Excellence.
It has been developed to signpost the relevant support materials available to assist staff in the planning of learning,
teaching and assessment of Higher Dance.
The vision for the new qualifications is to create assessment opportunities that follow and support learning and
teaching. This follows the principles laid out in Building the Curriculum 5 and makes assessment a natural part of
learning and teaching.
Education Scotland has published support materials to help staff develop programmes of learning drawn from three
sources: course materials commissioned by Education Scotland, other support materials produced by staff
seconded to Education Scotland and course materials provided by staff through their education authorities. Further
materials will be added as they become available.
These support materials are not intended to constrain staff, hence they are neither prescriptive nor exhaustive.
They provide suggestions on approaches to learning and teaching that will promote development of the necessary
knowledge, understanding and skills for Higher Dance. Staff are encouraged to draw on these materials, and
existing materials, to develop their own programmes of learning which are appropriate to the needs of learners
within their own context.
The link to Education Scotland’s support materials can be found below together with a number of other subjectspecific links staff may find helpful as they develop programmes of learning for Higher Dance. These links are
followed by a sequential list of the key guidelines, advice and support for the Higher Dance qualification. This
information is intended to support staff in deciding the most appropriate ways to generate evidence and assess
learners.
Useful links for learning and teaching Higher Dance
Education Scotland NQ course materials on GLOW (login and password required)
A wide range of learning and teaching resources to help staff develop programmes of learning.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/nqcoursematerials/subjects/dance/index.asp (copy and paste this link into
your browser)
Education Scotland NNQs support
Links to support materials and resources
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/learningteachingandassessment/curriculumareas/expressivearts/nqs/index.as
p
DANCE
Education Scotland resources for Dance
Links to resources for specific styles of dance
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/resources/nq/h/higherdancejazz/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=educa
tionscotland&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-615801-64
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/resources/nq/h/higherdanceclassical/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=e
ducationscotland&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-615801-64
SQA course and unit support notes providing advice and guidance on learning and teaching
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseUnitSupportNotes_Higher_ExpressiveArts_Dance.pdf
Key Curriculum for Excellence support
A quick guide to finding vital information about Curriculum for Excellence under the following headings:
 the latest guidance, updates and plans for embedding Curriculum for Excellence
 information on assessment
 information on the new qualifications.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/keycfesupport/index.asp
National Assessment Resource (login and password required)
Materials that inform planning for learning, teaching, moderation and assessment.
https://www.narscotland.org.uk/
Higher Dance course content
Higher dance consists of two units and a coursework assessment.
Dance Choreography
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_Unit_H_Dance_Choreography.pdf
There is a full package of unit assessment support available on the SQA Secure website for this mandatory unit.
The package includes Unit Assessments for both combined approaches, and also unit-by-unit approaches.
Dance Technical Skills
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_Unit_H_Dance_TechnicalSkills.pdf
There is a full package of unit assessment support available on the SQA Secure website for this mandatory unit.
The package includes unit assessments for both combined approaches, and also unit-by-unit approaches.
Course assessment
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/GAInfoHigherDancePerformance.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/GAInfoHigherDance.pdf
The documents above provide general assessment information for the course assessment component of the higher
Dance course.
This is a new course and no direct comparisons are available with previous courses at Higher level. The
assessment tasks will be marked collaboratively by an SQA visiting assessor and the centre, under conditions set
by SQA.
DANCE
Unit assessment
Units are mandatory when taken as part of the full Higher Dance course but they can be standalone also. Unit
support notes follow on from the course support notes.
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseUnitSupportNotes_Higher_ExpressiveArts_Dance.pdf
Requirements for the coursework assessment (performance)
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseAssessSpec_Higher_ExpressiveArtsDance.pdf
The course assessment specification provides a detailed overview of the requirements for each component of the
course assessment.
Performance
The performance is worth a total of 70 marks. This counts towards 50% of the overall course assessment. Marks
will be awarded for planning, implementing and evaluating the production.
The performance assessment for Higher Dance requires the learner to perform two solos, each lasting between
one and a half and two minutes, and each from a contrasting genre. This will be choreographed by the assessor.
In each solo, the learner will be assessed on application of technique and performance skills as follows:
 Application of technique
 Application of performance skills
Further detailed guidance on assessment standards can be accessed in the ‘Dance Performance Assessment
Task’ document, which is available on SQA Secure.
https://secure.sqa.org.uk/files/cfe/Dance/Higher/CATHigherDancePerformance.pdf
Practical activity
The purpose of the practical activity is to assess the learner’s ability to apply problem-solving, critical thinking,
interpretation and reflective practice to create and present a choreography for a minimum of three dancers, and
review the choreographic process.
In total the practical activity will have 70 marks (50% of the total marks). There are two sections: Choreography and
Choreography Review, each worth 35 marks.
Choreography: Through choreographing a 2–3 minute dance for a minimum of three performers, learners will
have the opportunity to present their work in a performance. The course assessment specification provides a
detailed overview of the assessment elements.
Choreography Review: Learners must complete three tasks to review planning, review development and reflect
on their skills as a choreographer. Marks are awarded for reviewing:
 the relationship(s) between motif, research and theme
 reasons for the choreographic principles used
 evaluation of personal choreographic skills.
DANCE
Further detailed guidance on assessment standards can be accessed in the ‘Dance Practical Activity’ document on
SQA Secure site.
https://secure.sqa.org.uk/files/cfe/Dance/Higher/CATHigherDance.pdf
Points of change and areas of stability across National 5 and new CfE Higher are discussed in the following
document.
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/H_Dance_Course_comparison.pdf
Verification
The verification process is intended to be supportive to practitioners.
Internal verification is the process of ensuring standards are applied uniformly and consistently within a school in
line with national standards. External verification is the process of ensuring that national standards are maintained
consistently across all schools and is carried out by SQA.
Information on quality assurance is available at: http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/58448.html.
The following links will also support practitioners when preparing evidence for verification purposes including prior
verification, as well as internal and external verification:
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/Prior%20Verification%20Centre%20Guidance%20FINAL.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/InternalVerificationGuideforSQAcentres.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/Evidence_required_for_verificationevents.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/SQA_Evidence_retention_requirements_A3_table.pdf.
Key messages from the verification process will be posted on the SQA website.
Results services
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/FA6669_SQA_Results_Services_A5_8pp_brochure_web.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/65427.html
SQA offer two services to replace the appeals process:
 Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service (details to be provided to SQA within ten days of the learner
sitting the external assessment)
 Post-results Service – this consists of a clerical check and/or a marking review if the centre has concerns about
the results of an individual or group.
T +44 (0)141 282 5000 E enquiries@educationscotland.gov.uk W www.educationscotland.gov.uk
Education Scotland, Denholm House, Almondvale Business Park, Almondvale Way, Livingston EH54 6GA
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