Higher Dance

Dance National 5 Higher

Subject updates

October 2019 subject update (169 KB)
October 2018 subject update (161 KB)

National 5 to Advanced Higher Course information for 2020-21

07-OCT-2020

Information on National Course changes for session 2020/21

Course information 2021-22

23-JUN-2021

The following modification decisions are valid regardless of the agreed approach to assessment in session 2021-22.

National 5

Guidance provided to centres for session 2020-21 on the use of suitable choreographic devices and spatial elements still applies in session 2021-22, as physical distancing is currently still in place.

Practical activity: candidates should not perform in their own choreography unless it is necessary due to candidates self-isolating or being absent on the day of assessment. It is important that candidates adopt a choreographer role for this task as it allows them to effectively reflect on the appropriateness of movement material, and choreographic devices used to communicate the intentions of the piece.

Higher

Practical activity: the solo choreography option should remain.

The practical activity consists of section 1: choreography and section 2: choreography review. The choreography currently requires candidates to create, present and review a group dance (minimum of three dancers) excluding themselves. Centres can continue with this approach, however with a recommendation of no more than four dancers, or alternatively, candidates can create, present and review a solo dance, excluding themselves.

Candidates should not perform in their own choreography unless it is necessary due to candidates self-isolating or being absent on the day of assessment. It is important that candidates adopt a choreographer role for this task as it allows them to effectively reflect on the appropriateness of movement material, and choreographic devices used to communicate the intentions of the piece.

Freestanding units

SCQF level 5 freestanding units

Modifications for session 2021-22 will remain the same as session 2020-21.

Dance: Technical Skills: Guidance for delivering technique lessons, with restrictions on teaching spaces and approaches.

Dance: Choreography: Guidance regarding suitable choreographic devices, spatial elements, and group sizes for choreographies.

SCQF level 6 freestanding units

Modifications for session 2021-22 will remain the same as session 2020-21.

Dance: Technical Skills: Guidance for delivering technique lessons, with restrictions on teaching spaces and approaches.

Dance: Choreography: Guidance regarding suitable choreographic devices, spatial elements, and group sizes for choreographies.

Manage MyAlerts

Alternative certification model

The alternative certification model is how National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses will be resulted this year, following the cancellation of the 2021 exams. It involves five different stages.

View the alternative certification model and see what will happen at each stage.

2021 Key Messages

The Alternative Certification Model included a national quality assurance activity, carried out in May 2021. SQA appointees reviewed and provided feedback on a selection of assessment evidence from SQA centres. Subject-specific feedback has been provided to those centres for each course and level they were selected for.

The key messages report provides information on any common themes and key points from the evidence submitted and reviewed across all the selections. This report is provided for all delivering centres to reflect upon and make any appropriate adjustments.

Higher Dance 2020-21 key messages
June 2021

Course Specification

Explains the structure of the Course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.

Higher Dance Course Specification
September 2018

Gathering evidence (March 2021)

Higher Dance: Guidance on gathering key evidence in session 2020-21

Past Papers and Marking Instructions

Access all past papers by subject/level

Specimen Question Papers

Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes marking instructions).

Higher Dance Specimen Question Paper
September 2018

Coursework

This section provides information on marking instructions and/or the coursework assessment task(s). It includes information that centres need to administer coursework and must be read in conjunction with the course specification.

Coursework assessment task for Higher Dance Performance
August 2018
Coursework assessment task for Higher Dance Practical Activity
August 2018

Guidance on conditions of assessment

Information on the production and submission of SQA-assessed coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

Coursework for External Assessment (261 KB)

Understanding Standards (Mar 2021)

New resources session 2020 -21

_______________________________________________________

Please note: For session 2020-21 there have been modifications to this course. The materials below should therefore be viewed along with the National 5 to Advanced Higher Course information for 2020-21.

Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries

Examples of candidate evidence and commentaries can be found on SQA's secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.

Course assessment overview

Overview of Course Assessment Presentation with audio (27.57 MB)

Changes to understanding standards materials

Changes to published Understanding Standards materials for all subjects

Please note: Understanding Standards material are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.

Course reports

Provides information on the performance of candidates - which is useful to teachers, lecturers and assessors in their preparation of candidates for future assessment.

Course Reports

2016 Higher Dance Course Report
September 2016
2017 Higher Dance Course Report
October 2017
2018 Higher Dance Course Report
September 2018
2019 Higher Dance Course Report
September 2019
Dance: Quality Assurance - external verification

Verification Reports

Dance Verification Key Messages Round 1
March 2017
2019 Higher Dance Course Report September 2019
2018 Higher Dance Course Report September 2018
Dance: Quality Assurance - external verification

CPD

Additional CPD support

Where any particular areas of concern are identified, which are not addressed by our Understanding Standards events or support materials, we will offer free continuing professional development (CPD) training, subject to request. CPD support is subject-specific and can be tailored to cover one or more qualification level. To find out more about this service visit our CPD page.