Music

“'Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything ".

^Plato

Department Vision Statement/ Curriculum Intent

In September 2020 the music department introduced a brand new curriculum, based around the principles of Musical Future’s Just Play. Year 7, 8 and 9 follow a similar curriculum because of this.

This is centred around the strands of a typical music education; Listening and Appraising, Composing and Performing, but with a focus on developing core instrumental skills on ukulele, guitar and keyboard. Pupils are then able to utilise these skills when exploring different genres of music and composing their own pieces. Learning comes through practical exploration first, with every lesson having practical music making at its core.

As well as the fundamental music skills, pupils will also develop a range of transferable skills within their music lessons. They develop their confidence by being given lots of opportunities to perform. Pupils are taught how to give positive feedback, helping to nurture a safe environment and one which is supportive, aiming to put even the most nervous performers at ease. Through this they gain a sense of achievement and the skills needed to evaluate themselves and their music constructively. Music naturally requires a great amount of perseverance and resilience, and this is something that pupils learn throughout key stage 3 as they develop their instrumental skills. Within composing tasks pupils work as part of a team, learning to cooperate and to be creative together. They learn about leadership and collaboration. Through listening tasks pupils learn about the context of different genres of music and develop an appreciation of different musical styles.

As pupils move into key stage 4 they may want to carry on with their music education. Here they continue to develop their skills as musicians, but at a more advanced level. The vocational course prepares them for a possible career in music, but expands many of the transferable skills from key stage three.

Pupils are given the opportunity to extend their musical learning through a wide range of extra-curricular activities which support the work taking place in the classroom. This includes lunchtime and after school clubs, trips, concerts and instrumental lessons. We have a fantastic team of peripatetic music staff able to teach a variety of instruments. All are professional musicians as well as teachers and so offer an insight into life as a musician.

Music Tuition?

Click here to view our instrumental lessons

YEAR GROUPS