The music curriculum develops skills in performing, listening and composing, exposing students to a range of genres, styles and traditions. Students will sing and use their voices and instruments to perform and compose music in response to different stimuli and styles and learn to evaluate the work they listen to and have produced. Our music curriculum focuses on building skills for beyond the KS3 classroom. We aim for all students to be competent at reading basic music notation and keyboard skills by the end of the 3 year program as well as gaining a wider understanding of music and appraising skills. All students work through the RSL piano method in year 7 in order to gain basic keyboard skills and these and additional skills are developed over year 8 & 9 so students are equipped for KS4 as well as supporting our enrichment program and students’ engagement with music beyond the classroom.
Music is taught for one hour a week in Years 7, 8 and 9 and curriculum lessons are closely linked to our instrumental and vocal lessons which are available to all students if they choose. Key Stage 3 music is also placed within the wider performing arts curriculum with many units closely linking to content taught in students’ drama and dance lessons to give a richer insight into the performing arts.
Each unit of work ends with a performance or extended piece of work to show knowledge and skills learnt within the unit.
Units covered:
Students study Edexcel GCSE Music over the course of KS4. There are 3 components; Performance (30%) and Composition (30%) are coursework elements that are completed in class and/or in students’ instrument lessons. These include a solo and ensemble performance in any musical style of the student’s choice. Students also write their own song or composition using songwriting software and their own instruments. The third component, Appraising (40%), is examined at the end of year 11. Students will study 8 set works ranging from Classical music to Rock and Pop!
Students studying GCSE Music can continue to study and work towards a career in the following areas:
Performing Arts Subject Progression Pathways