Music
The Music department has a strong team of two specialist teachers. We also have 5 peripatetic teachers offering lessons in singing, keyboard/piano, drum kit, electric guitar, bass guitar and DJing/launchpad. We have a variety of teaching spaces within music to support our curriculum. One large classroom with 5 practice rooms for rehearsal, one room that hosts a suite of computers, as well as a smaller teaching space which includes a digital recording studio, monitoring speakers and a variety of high quality microphones.
The music department offers a variety of extra-curricular activities including vocal group and band. We have an excellent reputation for performing arts and stage an annual musical, which involves singing and musical accompaniment, plus additional events throughout the year. Over the past few years, we have had great success in additional practical music exams, with students achieving Grade 8. These extra music qualifications carry UCAS points and we have had a number of students continue their music education through university study.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Breakdown
Year 7
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Half Term |
Topic |
Learning Outcomes |
Assessment |
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Half Term 1 |
Body Percussion/The Elements of Music |
Perform as a whole class ensemble, playing with fluency, accuracy and expression. Compose within a range of contexts using different structures. Understand basic rhythmic notation. |
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Half Term 2 |
Introduction to Keyboard |
Develop correct keyboard techniques through focused technical exercises. Develop both hands when playing the keyboard in order to perform a solo piece.
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Half Term 3 |
Developing Keyboard Skills |
Further enhance the skills developed in the previous half term through more complex pieces. |
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Half Term 4 |
Chords |
Develop the understanding of musical notation including notes on the stave, rhythm and pitch. Perform more complex pieces on the keyboard. |
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Half Term 5 |
Just Play – Band Skills |
Perform a piece of popular music in small groups using a variety of instruments with a focus on timing, fluency and accuracy. Be introduced to performing on instruments like the drum kit and the electric guitar. Develop ensemble skills when performing and rehearsing as a band. |
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Half Term 6 |
Ukulele Skills |
Develop the skills required to play a variety of chords on the Ukulele. Develop a strong understanding of how to read chord diagrams and perform in time with a backing track. |
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Year 8
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Half Term |
Topic |
Learning Outcomes |
Assessment |
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Half Term 1 |
Rhythms of the World – African Drumming |
Explore music from another culture. Perform, improvise and compose using African instruments.
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Half Term 2 |
Remixing |
Develop your understanding of how to create an effective remix. Explore a variety of DAW to create a remix. Use different editing techniques to create an interesting remix. |
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Half Term 3 |
Music for Media (Film) |
Perform music from film and video games. Explore different film music devices and utilise them in a variety of compositional exercises. Utilise music technology to create an effective piece of film music. |
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Half Term 4 |
Music for Media (TV, Computer Games) |
Perform music from film and video games. Explore different film music devices and utilise them in a variety of compositional exercises. Utilise music technology to create an effective piece of film music. |
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Half Term 5 |
Just Play – Band Skills |
Perform a piece of popular music in small groups using a variety of instruments with a focus on timing, fluency and accuracy. Be introduced to performing on instruments like the drum kit and the electric guitar. Develop ensemble skills when performing and rehearsing as a band.
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Half Term 6 |
Keyboard in Practice |
Understand the different skills required when playing more complex keyboard pieces. Develop our understanding of notation. |
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Key Stage 4 Curriculum Breakdown
Year 9
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Half Term |
Topic |
Learning Outcomes |
Assessment |
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Half Term 1 |
Rhythms of the World - Samba |
Explore music from another culture. Perform, improvise and compose using samba instruments.
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Half Term 2 |
Music Technology |
Develop understanding of Ableton software by creating compositions using MIDI input. Use DAW techniques within an original composition. |
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Half Term 3 |
Musical Futures – In At The Deep End |
Explore the process of creating a performance as a band, using a variety of instruments. Develop student confidence in performing. |
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Half Term 4 |
Songwriting |
In bands, understand different ways of writing songs including lyrics, chords and melody writing. Refine a song as a group and perform. |
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Half Term 5 |
The Blues |
Understand the history of Blues Music. Perform the different elements within Blues music and use these elements to compose a Blues inspired song. |
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Half Term 6 |
Just Play – Band Skills |
Perform a piece of popular music in small groups using a variety of instruments with a focus on timing, fluency and accuracy. Be introduced to performing on instruments like the drum kit and the electric guitar. Develop ensemble skills when performing and rehearsing as a band. |
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Year 10
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Half Term |
Topic |
Learning Outcomes |
Assessment |
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Half Term 1 |
Musical Knowledge 1 – Coursework Preparation Solo Performance |
Develop skills in order for students to describe the contributing traits of two contrasting contemporary musical styles. You will explore:
Develop solo performance skills through rehearsal and performance to a brief.
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Half Term 2 |
Musical Knowledge 1 – Coursework Completion Duet Performance |
Complete coursework where students describe the contributing traits of two contrasting contemporary musical styles. You will explore:
Develop ensemble skills when preparing the performance with another person. |
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Half Term 3 |
Mock Exam Preparation |
Undertake a mock of the external unit set by Rockschool, which is completed in year 11. The unit is called Live Music Performance. Students are expected to:
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Half Term 4 |
Mock Exam Completion |
Undertake a mock of the external unit set by Rockschool, which is completed in year 11. The unit is called Live Music Performance. Students are expected to:
Reflect on the performance and consider ways to improve future performances |
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Half Term 5 |
Musical Knowledge 2 – Coursework Preparation Solo Performance |
Display the ability to accurately recognise and discuss in detail at least four of the following musical elements:
Develop solo performance skills. |
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Half Term 6 |
Musical Knowledge 2 – Coursework Completion Ensemble Performance |
Display the ability to accurately recognise and discuss in detail at least four of the following musical elements:
Develop ensemble performance skills. |
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Year 11
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Half Term |
Topic |
Learning Outcomes |
Assessment |
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Half Term 1 |
Optional unit – Coursework Preparation Solo Performance
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Develop the skills in one of the following optional units:
Continue to develop music performance skills |
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Half Term 2 |
Optional unit – Coursework Completion Duet Performance |
Complete the first task from one of the following optional units:
Continue to develop music performance skills |
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Half Term 3 |
External Examination |
Complete the external unit set by Rockschool. The unit is called Live Music Performance. Students are expected to:
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Half Term 4 |
External Examination |
Complete the external unit set by Rockschool. The unit is called Live Music Performance. Students are expected to:
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Half Term 5 |
Optional Unit – Coursework Preparation Solo Performance |
Develop the skills in one of the following optional units:
Continue to develop music performance skills |
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Half Term 6 |
Optional Unit – Coursework Completion Solo Performance |
Complete the first task from one of the following optional units:
Continue to develop music performance skills |
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