Welcome to the Music Department

Students take part in a range of integrated activities and are encouraged to improve their performing, composing and listening skills while developing knowledge of musical styles, traditions and cultures.

If your child would like to have instrumental lessons, please click here.

Music Curriculum Overview
Assessment Principles
Careers Links

Curriculum Content

Key Stage 3

Year 7

In year 7 students have one lesson of music a week, they look at different styles of music and production of music:

  • Folk Music – Students will study the cultural and social aspects of Folk Music alongside developing their rehearsal and performance skills.

  • Find Your Voice – Students will study how to use their voices in a safe, effective and enjoyable way. Students will also build upon their rehearsal and performance skills.

  • Descriptive Music – Students will study the instruments of the orchestra alongside classical performance pieces. Students will compose their own piece of descriptive music.

  • TV Theme Tunes and Advert Jingles – Students will learn how to compose to a brief and understand how to compose a short and catchy melody.

  • Rap Music – Students will study the cultural, social and political aspects of rap music alongside developing their songwriting and performance skills.

  • Samba and Stomp – Students will learn how to use their bodies to create a percussive sound. Students will study world music traditions through rhythm.

Year 8

In year 8, students continue to develop their rehearsal, compositional and performance skills:

  • Blues – Through performance and composition, students will study the conventions of blues music including improvisation and structure. Students will study the cultural, social and political aspects of Blues music.

  • Rock & Roll – Students will study the cultural, social and political aspects of Rock & Roll and the influences that blues music had on the genre. Students will continue to build upon their rehearsal and performance skills.

  • Reggae – Students will perform reggae songs focusing on the social contexts of reggae music. Students will build their performance skills as part of band and will learn about syncopation.

  • Popular Music – Students will study the arrangement of a popular song through performance. Students will study how to compose a popular song and build on their songwriting skills.

  • Solo Performance – Students will study how to rehearse in a safe, effective and enjoyable way, whilst learning a piece of music of their choice. Students will showcase their performance skills in a final solo performance of KS3.

Year 9

Students in Year 9 will undertake a number of assignments designed to broaden their musical knowledge and ability whilst also introducing them to the requirements of the BTEC qualification. These assignments include:

  • Band Skills: Students will be asked to work on a song of their choice whilst working as part of a band. Students will study how to rehearse and communicate with one another effectively.

  • Cover Songs: Students will study how to use their own unique sound to create and effective cover song. The cover songs will then be used as part of a performance with the Year 9 Drama students.

  • Musicals: Students will work in small groups to compose a piece of music for a specific scene in a musical using ideas from musical songs they have performed.

  • Film and Game Music: Students will work in small groups and use a mixture of technology and live instruments to compose a soundtrack for a short piece of film.

  • Song Writing: Students will build upon the Popular Music unit in year 8 and learn the theory behind songwriting whilst composing their own songs.

  • Music Festival: Students will plan and perform at a musical event, carefully considering their song choices and understanding how to set-up equipment at a live musical event.

Key Stage 4

Year 10 & 11

Students in Years 10 & 11 will study the new BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice.

Course Structure

BTEC Level 1 / 2 Tech Award in Music Practice

Year 10

Component 1: Exploring Music Products and Styles (30% of final grade)
Learners will explore the techniques used in the creation of different musical products and investigate the key features of different musical styles. Grades can be awarded at levels 1 and 2. Work is assessed by your teacher and grades are moderated by the exam board.

Year 11

Component 2: Music Skills Development (30% of final grade)
Learners will have the opportunity to develop two musical disciplines through engagement in practical tasks, while documenting their progress and planning for further improvement. Grades can be awarded at levels 1 and 2. Work is assessed by your teacher and grades are moderated by the exam board.

Component 3: Responding to a Music Brief (40% final grade)
Learners will be given the opportunity to develop and present music in response to a given music brief. This component will allow students to work to their strengths and interests and apply the skills that they have learned throughout their course in a practical way. They will focus on a particular area of the music sector that excites and appeals to them and respond to a music brief as a composer, performer or producer. Grades can be awarded at levels 1 and 2. Work is assessed by the exam board.