ENROLMENT NOW OPEN | YEARS 9–11 | APPLICATIONS CLOSE 6 SEPTEMBER
AQA GCSE DANCE
One-Year Intensive Course | 2026–27
For dancers in Years 9–11
An exciting opportunity for young dancers to complete the AQA GCSE Dance qualification outside of their secondary school, alongside their existing academic studies and dance training.
Sundays | 9.00am–12.00pm
September 2026 – June 2027
SLDA Studios, Brockley
29 Teaching Weeks | 87 Tutor Contact Hours
ABOUT THE COURSE
The South London Dance Academy is delighted to introduce our one-year AQA GCSE Dance programme for the 2026–27 academic year.
The course is designed for committed young dancers in Years 9–11 who already have an appropriate foundation of dance training and would like the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised GCSE qualification in Dance.
It may be particularly suitable for pupils whose secondary school does not offer GCSE Dance, or those wishing to study Dance as an additional GCSE alongside their existing school subjects.
As the full GCSE specification will be delivered within one academic year, rather than the more usual two-year programme, this is an intensive course requiring a strong commitment to both the practical and academic elements of Dance.
WHAT WILL PUPILS STUDY?
The AQA GCSE Dance qualification combines practical dance performance and choreography with theoretical and written study.
Pupils will develop their skills and understanding across areas including:
Performance
Choreography
Technical and expressive dance skills
Dance appreciation
Analysis and evaluation of professional dance works
Choreographic processes
Written examination preparation
The programme will include both practical and theory learning within the three-hour Sunday session.
GCSE Dance has a substantial academic and written component.
Alongside practical performance and choreography, pupils are required to analyse and evaluate dance, study professional works, communicate their knowledge effectively in writing and sit a formal written GCSE examination.
Applicants must therefore be working at an appropriate level in English to access the academic demands of the qualification, particularly when completing the GCSE within one year.
COURSE TIMETABLE
Autumn Term – 12 Sessions
Sunday 13th September – Sunday 13th December 2026
No lessons: 25th October or 1st November
Spring Term – 10 Sessions
Sunday 10th January – Sunday 21st March 2027
No lesson: 21st February
Summer Term – 7 Sessions
Sunday 18th April – Sunday 13th June 2027
No lesson: 6th June
Final summer arrangements may need to be adjusted once the date of the GCSE written examination is confirmed.
Total: 29 teaching weeks / 87 hours of tutor contact
WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
Applicants should:
Be in Year 9, Year 10 or Year 11 during the 2026–27 academic year.
Have an established foundation of dance training.
Be technically ready to undertake GCSE-level practical work.
Be working at an appropriate academic level in English to access the written and theoretical content.
Be capable of managing the demands of completing a GCSE within one academic year.
Be willing to undertake independent study, written work and practical preparation outside of Sunday sessions.
Be able to commit to excellent attendance throughout the programme.
Previous training does not need to have been exclusively in Contemporary Dance. Applicants may come from a variety of dance backgrounds; their overall experience and technical foundation will be considered.
COURSE FEES
£1,300 for the complete 2026–27 programme.
A £100 enrolment deposit is payable when submitting an application.
For successful applicants, the £100 deposit is deducted from the total course fee, leaving £1,200 to pay.
Payment options
Monthly: £100 deposit + 10 monthly payments of £120
Termly: £100 deposit + 3 termly payments of £400
In Full: £100 deposit + £1,200 balance
Additional examination costs
GCSE examination and examination-centre fees are not included within the £1,300 course fee and will be invoiced separately once final examination arrangements have been confirmed.
HOW ARE PLACES ALLOCATED?
Places are not offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
All applications submitted by the closing date will be reviewed by our GCSE Course Lead against the course entry criteria.
Consideration will be given to the applicant's:
Previous and current dance training
Technical foundation and dance experience
Academic readiness, including their current level in English
Age and school year
Overall readiness for an intensive one-year GCSE programme
We want to ensure that pupils offered a place are appropriately prepared to access, enjoy and succeed on the course.
£100 ENROLMENT DEPOSIT
A £100 deposit must accompany the enrolment form for an application to be considered complete.
Payment of the deposit does not guarantee that a place will be offered.
If we are unable to offer your child a place — for example, because the course is oversubscribed or following review of their dance experience, academic readiness or overall suitability — the £100 deposit will be refunded in full.
For successful applicants who accept their place, the deposit is deducted from the £1,300 course fee.
Application Deadline: Sunday 6th September 2026
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by Tuesday 8th September 2026.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Attendance
Due to the intensive nature of completing GCSE Dance within one academic year, regular attendance is essential. Pupils who accept a place are expected to attend all scheduled teaching sessions wherever possible.
Pupils will also be required to complete independent theoretical and practical work between sessions and meet all assessment and coursework deadlines.
Full T&Cs will be sent with formal offers.
Enrolment Form
Before you begin: Once you have submitted the enrolment form, please return to this page to pay the £100 enrolment deposit. Your application is only complete once both the form and deposit have been received.