Music

Music Development Plan 2024-25

Music Curriculum Intent

To provide a wide ranging, thought provoking and enjoyable music education for every student.  To enable students to listen to, perform and compose music from a variety of cultures, countries, traditions and historical eras across KS3, KS4 and KS5.

Music Theory

  • Listen and read a wide range of repertoire, fluently and with good understanding of musical devices
  • Listen to a range of Baroque, Classical and Romantic music, and use key knowledge gained from theory to compare and contrast pieces of music to improve their own compositional skills 
  • Use cross curricular English writing skills to effectively examine and explain pieces of music

Performance 

Students will be able to put their theory knowledge to practice during performance lessons and focus on producing clear and effective communicative skills to allow for excellent performances. 

Facilities

Every classroom has a range of musical instruments form string, brass, Percussion and woodwind. Each room is fitted with an interactive white board, networked computer and projector 

The department has access to computer rooms and makes regular use of Ipads throughout lessons.

Extra Curricular Opportunities

Students are offered extra curricular clubs, including:

  • Band skills 
  • Song Writing 
  • Orchestra
  • Choir
  • Music Tech Club
  • Music Theory

Students also have the opportunity to perform in the annual Christmas Concert, Spring/Summer Concert as well as Twilight Concerts for the less-experienced musicians.

We run a peripatetic instrumental music programme where pupils are offered individual lessons on the following instruments:  Drumkit, Piano, Singing, Bass Guitar and Guitar.  The programme is expanding all the time, and we are introducing DJing to this complement.  DJing lessons are offered as group tuition or individual tuition.

School Trips

A number of school visits are arranged throughout the course of the year. These include: Secondary Schools Come and Sing, West End shows such as Wicked, Handel House and the Jimi Hendrix Muserm. Details of trips which have taken place this year or are planned in the future can be viewed in the School Visits, Enrichment area of the website. 

Facilities

  • Two classrooms fully equipped with keyboards
  • Recording Studio
  • Practice rooms equipped with piano/drum kits/guitars
  • Larger performance room
  • Full set of African Djembe drums
  • Small iMac suite

Useful Links

KS3 Music

Years 7, 8 and 9

Through listening, performing and composing students learn about different musical styles and genres.  They focus on the musical features as well as the historical and cultural context of the music they study.

Classwork and assessment focuses on the use of keyboards/piano, voice, percussion and drumkit.

Year 7

Exploring the elements Music, Instruments of the Orchestra and Keyboard Performance.

Year 8

Popular Music, Classical Music and Jazz Music.

Year 9

Appraising, Film Music, Western Classical Music.

What skills students develop

Listening, performing, composing, group work, independent learning, literacy, numeracy, analytical, spiritual, moral, social and cultural.

How students are assessed

  • Through solo and group/paired performances and compositions
  • Listening tests, tasks and assignments
  • Observation of practise in lesson time
  • Performances for school events and concerts

Homework

Listening and research activities
Practising performances for assessment

How parents can help

  • Listening to music with students and encouraging them to perform for you
  • Attending school concerts and encouraging students to participate

Extra-curricular Activities

Students are offered extra curricular clubs, including:

  • Band Club
  • Song Writing 
  • Orchestra
  • Choir
  • Music Tech Club
  • Music Theory

KS4 Music GCSE

Board and Exam Details

EDUQAS Music GCSE

Link to course specification

Link to Personal Learning Checklists

Course Details

Over the duration of the GCSE, (EDQUAS) course students will study pieces of music that cover a variety of musical styles including film music, pop music, world music and classical music. The course will focus on developing performing, composing and listening skills.

Students should be involved in extra-curricular groups as well as concerts and music events; instrumental or vocal lessons are recommended if students choose to study this course.

Instrument lessons are offered by visiting peripatetic music teachers.

There are 3 units covered at GCSE:

Unit 1: Performing (solo and ensemble)

Unit 2: Composing (writing music)

Unit 3: Listening and appraising: studying different genres of music and answering questions during a listening examination.

This course would be useful if students wish to enter the Performing Arts or music industry, and is essential for continuing the study of music at Sixth Form or University.

What skills students develop

Listening, performing, composing, group work, independent learning, literacy, numeracy, analytical, spiritual, moral, social, cultural and research.

How students are assessed

Non exam assessment

Performance. Recorded in school and moderated by external examiners.

30% of the qualification

Non exam assessment

Composition under controlled conditions

30% of the

qualification

Exam 

(1.25 hrs)

Knowledge and understanding of music. Listening and writing.

40% of the

qualification

Homework

Preparation for assessments, assignment work, instrumental practice and studio composition time.

How parents can help

  • Encourage students to practise their instruments
  • Help students keep track of course deadlines
  • Attend events and concerts and encourage students to participate

Extra-curricular Activities

  • Orchestra
  • Band Club
  • Choir
  • Music Tech Club
  • Music Theory
  • Instrumental lessons: Guitar, Piano, Drumkit, Bass Guitar, Singing, Djing
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