Dance & Performing Arts

Rambert Creative Contemporary Dance Grades

Vocational

Specification: 603/7376/3

The RAMBERT-CREATIVE-CONTEMPORARY-DANCE-GRADES Vocational Dance & Performing Arts specification covers 12 topics with 36 learning objectives (603/7376/3). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.

This subject will help you develop key knowledge and skills required for exam success.

Units

Learning Outcomes

Assessment Guidance

Key Skills

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Key Features

Master key concepts
Develop exam technique
Apply knowledge effectively

Common Exam Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exams

•Focusing on steps rather than expression.
•Ignoring safe practice (e.g., warm-up).
•Lack of spatial awareness when moving.
•Neglecting warm-up and cool-down.
•Focusing only on steps without expression.
•Ignoring alignment and injury prevention.
•Tensing shoulders or holding unnecessary tension, which restricts flow and weight transfer.
•Neglecting the use of the floor as a partner, resulting in shallow, disconnected movement.

Top Examiner Tips

Expert advice for exam success

•Encourage creativity and individual expression.
•Use music to inspire movement.
•Ensure a safe space for dancing.
•Practice regularly to build muscle memory.
•Record yourself to identify areas for improvement.
•Learn the terminology for feedback.
•Regularly film and review your practice to refine alignment and performance quality objectively.
•Warm up thoroughly with a focus on spinal articulation and breath, to prepare for dynamic demands.

Qualification Units

12 units

How this qualification is graded

Vocational qualifications are marked against criteria, not an exam percentage. Each unit is assessed across three bands - build up from Pass by applying your knowledge to realistic workplace scenarios.

Pass

Accurately describe and explain the core knowledge for the unit and link it to the given scenario.

Merit

Apply and analyse that knowledge in detail, showing why it matters in the workplace context.

Distinction

Evaluate and justify decisions, weigh up alternatives and make well-reasoned professional recommendations.

Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Pre-Primary - Core Content

This entry-level award introduces contemporary dance principles and practices for young children. Learners apply knowledge in practical contexts and demonstrate core skills such as basic movements, rhythm, and expression.

Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Pre-Primary

3 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Rambert Grades Level 3 Certificate in Contemporary Dance: Grade 8 - Core Content

Contemporary dance at Grade 8 focuses on key principles, practical application, and core skills. Learners demonstrate competency in performance and technique.

Rambert Grades Level 3 Certificate in Contemporary Dance: Grade 8

3 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Rambert Grades Level 2 Award in Contemporary Dance: Grade 4 - Core Content

This subtopic consolidates the core technical and creative principles of contemporary dance at Grade 4, focusing on refined alignment, dynamic weight use, and expressive performance. Learners apply Cunningham-based articulation, release work, and basic choreographic devices to demonstrate controlled, fluid movement and personal artistry. Practical assessments evaluate the integration of safe practice, musicality, and spatial awareness in both learned material and own choreography.

Rambert Grades Level 2 Award in Contemporary Dance: Grade 4

3 learning outcomes10 guidance points

Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Creative Movers - Core Content

The Core Content of the Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Creative Movers introduces young learners to fundamental movement principles through imaginative play and creative exploration. This element develops body awareness, spatial recognition, and self-expression, forming the foundation for future graded work in contemporary dance.

Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Creative Movers

3 learning outcomes8 guidance points

Rambert Grades Level 3 Certificate in Contemporary Dance: Grade 7 - Core Content

This subtopic consolidates the core technical, artistic, and theoretical foundations required for the Rambert Grades Level 3 Certificate in Contemporary Dance (Grade 7). Learners refine their embodiment of Rambert’s distinctive movement vocabulary, integrating complex floor work, release-based dynamics, and sophisticated partnering skills. The focus is on developing autonomous, reflective practitioners who can apply these principles in performance and choreographic tasks, demonstrating advanced competency in alignment, musicality, and expressive intention.

Rambert Grades Level 3 Certificate in Contemporary Dance: Grade 7

3 learning outcomes8 guidance points

Rambert Grades Level 1 Award in Contemporary Dance: Grade 1 - Core Content

This subtopic establishes foundational contemporary dance technique, emphasising safe alignment, core stability, and expressive movement through a structured sequence of exercises and a creative study. It introduces principles of fall and recovery, weight shift, and spatial awareness, enabling learners to articulate a personal response to music and stimuli while developing bodily control and confidence in performance. The practical application extends to improvisation and compositional tasks, fostering a holistic understanding of dance as an art form.

Rambert Grades Level 1 Award in Contemporary Dance: Grade 1

3 learning outcomes12 guidance points

Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Primary - Core Content

This core content establishes the foundational principles of contemporary dance at the Primary level, focusing on safe and effective alignment, basic technical skills, and creative exploration. Learners develop body awareness, coordination, and musicality through structured exercises and simple choreographic tasks. The emphasis is on building confidence in performance and fostering an enjoyment of movement as a means of personal expression.

Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Primary

3 learning outcomes8 guidance points

Rambert Grades Level 3 Certificate in Contemporary Dance: Grade 6 - Core Content

This unit consolidates advanced contemporary dance skills, focusing on technical precision, expressive range, and creative ownership. Learners execute complex sequences integrating fall and recovery, off-centre spirals, and dynamic weight shifts, while demonstrating sophisticated performance interpretation. Emphasis is placed on embodying choreographic intent and critically evaluating professional repertoire.

Rambert Grades Level 3 Certificate in Contemporary Dance: Grade 6

3 learning outcomes5 guidance points

Rambert Grades Level 1 Award in Contemporary Dance: Grade 2 - Core Content

This core content unit establishes foundational contemporary dance technique, creative exploration, and performance skills at Rambert Grade 2 level. Students develop body awareness, dynamic alignment, and expressive qualities through set exercises, improvisation, and short sequences, applying these principles to communicate artistic intent in assessed presentations. The focus is on integrating correct placement with freedom of movement, enabling safe and expressive dance practice.

Rambert Grades Level 1 Award in Contemporary Dance: Grade 2

3 learning outcomes9 guidance points

Rambert Grades Level 2 Award in Contemporary Dance: Grade 5 - Core Content

The core content for Rambert Grade 5 contemporary dance focuses on developing advanced technical proficiency, creative expression, and performance quality. Learners engage with complex movement sequences, consolidating their understanding of alignment, weight transfer, dynamics, and musicality, while building the strength and flexibility necessary for more demanding choreography. This element underpins the practical application of contemporary dance principles at an intermediate level, preparing students for advanced work.

Rambert Grades Level 2 Award in Contemporary Dance: Grade 5

3 learning outcomes4 guidance points

Rambert Grades Level 1 Award in Contemporary Dance: Grade 3 - Core Content

This subtopic establishes the foundational principles of contemporary dance as prescribed by Rambert Grades at Grade 3. Learners explore core movement vocabulary, alignment, dynamic qualities, and creative expression, building the technical and artistic competencies essential for progressing to higher grades. Practical application focuses on developing performance presence, musicality, and safe dance practice in solo and ensemble contexts.

Rambert Grades Level 1 Award in Contemporary Dance: Grade 3

3 learning outcomes9 guidance points

Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Future Movers - Core Content

This core content introduces the fundamental creative and technical skills required in contemporary dance at an entry level, focusing on developing young movers' confidence, expression, and physical awareness. Learners explore basic body actions, spatial pathways, and dynamics through guided improvisation and simple choreography, laying the groundwork for future graded examinations. Practical application emphasizes safe dance practice, personal creativity, and collaborative performance, enabling students to communicate ideas through movement.

Rambert Grades Entry Level Award in Contemporary Dance: Future Movers

3 learning outcomes8 guidance points

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