Music
Contact: Head of Music - Mrs R Eames
Subject Overview:
We aim to develop a love of music through performance, creation and appraisal of music. From day one every student is treated as a musician regardless of their starting point. Our expectation is that everyone should be able to develop and feel challenged as a musician in every lesson. Students study a range of repertoire during KS3 & KS4 that enables them to encounter and explore music from a breadth of traditions and cultures.
Students are offered the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and engage with our co-curricular programme. During lessons, at lunchtime and after school, music can be heard down the music corridor. Learning an instrument, playing and/or singing together beyond the classroom and taking part in our school productions offers many benefits both in terms of developing as a musician but also supporting students to become part of our school community. Public performances allow parents and friends to see the difference that being part of the Performing Arts family makes to students in forming mature working relationships and lifelong friendships.
Click here to view the Curriculum Overview
Click here to view the Music Development Plan
Key Stage 3 Overview:
We follow the National Curriculum for Music at Key Stage 3.
The curriculum aims to ensure pupils perform and listen to a wide range of historical periods in music as well as develop their skills in composition by creating their own pieces of music. There is a strong emphasis on vocal work at KS3, alongside developing skills on keyboard, guitar and ukulele. Pupils read to learn staff notation and by the end of KS3 they will have developed the necessary theory and performance skills to begin KS4.
Key Stage 4 Overview:
We follow the AQA Music GCSE examination at Key Stage 4.
Pupils develop their performance and compositional skills alongside studying a range of repertoire from the four areas of study and beyond that enables them to encounter and explore music from a breadth of traditions and cultures. Our expectation is that everyone should be able to develop and feel challenged as a musician within the classroom every lesson regardless of their starting point and as such, we place no restrictions on who can access the GCSE course.
Key Stage 5 Overview:
We study the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Music Performance at Key Stage 5 which is an equivalent of an A level.
The course intends to develop musicians to a deeper level of understanding of music performance and the industry through four units.