Music Curriculum

Rationale

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. Our high quality music curriculum engages and inspires pupils to develop a love of music and develops their talent as musicians to increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. 

We build the cultural Capital of our pupils by teaching themes in context – exposing them to influences and traditions from many different cultural and historical contexts. We believe that it is essential to their understanding that they understand the ‘why’ as well as the ‘how’. Further rationale behind our curriculum design includes ensuring that our pupils have the necessary skills to be able to access the optional curriculum at KS4 and beyond. We encourage pupils to appraise a wide range of musical styles through regular exposure. They are challenged and stretched by an expectation that they can justify their opinions using musical understanding.

Intent

We challenge students to think, act and speak like those working in the field. We do this through quality first teaching which challenges our students to not only understand different styles and genres of music but requires them to explore, discuss and demonstrate this understanding in creative ways. They are challenged in all lessons to be able to demonstrate understanding and creativity through performance, composition, through collaboration with their peers and through evaluation of their own work. 

As a department we offer a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities for those students who want to develop their musical skills and abilities beyond a classroom curriculum. Individual instrumental lessons are available to all pupils and we also have a vibrant collection of musical ensembles allowing them to collaborate with other musicians and thus develop their performance skills, understanding and love of the subject. 

All students are given regular opportunities to perform in front of others both as individuals and with the various groups. This builds on their performance skills and also helps to develop their confidence and understanding as musicians.  As a department we define the powerful knowledge our students need and help them recall it by having a carefully planned progression through our curriculum which not only builds on prior knowledge but regularly enables students to develop key skills in all topic areas. We expect and encourage students to use key musical terminology within their work.

Implementation

Quality first teaching and cogent curriculum planning lies at the heart of what we do in the department. We have defined the core knowledge our pupils need to master and our curriculum covers the different key areas of composition, performance and appraisal. The nature of the delivery means that key skills are constantly revisited and key terminology is regularly embedded within the work that our pupils produce.

Overview of Content:

In Year 7 pupils study the musical elements, composition, keyboard skills and notation. They look at rhythm and study the different families of instruments. They also learn about harmony by playing the ukulele.

In Year 8 pupils learn about Film Music, Indian Music and develop their understanding of harmony and chords. They create their own guitar riffs and learn to play Beethoven’s “Fur Elise”.

In Year 9 pupils learn about Blues Music and explore music from different periods. They learn about Britpop, develop their guitar skills and create an Independent Study about a musical topic of particular interest to them.

Year 10 and 11

The course includes the opportunity to either perform, compose or produce music of your
choice, individually and in a group, through study of a range of musical styles and the ever growing Music industry. BTEC Music values all music styles, skills and instruments. Music enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, lateral thinking and complex analysis and critical thinking skills. This qualification comprises 3 components, all focused around practical Music skills. This qualification has no timed written exam.

Impact

We know our curriculum is working in the Music department through the engagement of our pupils that can be seen in all lessons. KS3 topic work regularly shows good understanding and teaching and learning in the department is a strength and can be evidenced through the influence of our methods across the wider school. The impact our music coordinator has is hugely evident by the enthusiasm in our pupils and the impact of our extra-curricular provision can be seen in the school. We have a reputation for providing pupils with endless opportunities to perform and engage in music making at a high standard. As a department we firmly believe that it is the enjoyment of the pupils and staff alongside their commitment and enthusiasm to make music which drives the department’s success.