Subject Vision 

To captivate and inspire pupils to develop both a love of music and their talent as musicians, through the delivery of high-quality music education. Through making music we actively contribute to children’s development: increasing confidence and creativity, independence, leadership skills, team working and concentration. The curriculum is accessible to pupils irrespective of their musical background and abilities and encourages intrigue and appreciation for music of all kinds. Curriculum content is selected and adapted to be relevant to students’ interest – each topic providing opportunities in performing, composing and appraising. Students learning is personalised allowing all to make substantial and continuous progress. Extra-curricular opportunities including school productions, performances, clubs and trips are offered to all pupils to further enhance their musical experience.

 

Key Stage 3 Curriculum Overview

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Aut.1	Building Blocks	WORLD MUSIC 3 – SAMBA / REGGAE / INDIAN	Topic Rotation 1: FILM MUSIC 2: FUSIONS 3: FORM AND STRUCTURE
Aut.2	THE ELEMENTS OF MUSIC	ALL THAT JAZZ – RAGTIME AND BLUES
Spr.1	WORLD MUSIC 1 - AFRICAN DRUMMING	MUSIC AND MEDIA 1 – TV ADVERTS A CAPELLA MUSIC
Spr.2	ROCK BAND 1	ROCK BAND 2
Sum.1	STRUCTURAL DEVICES 1 – GROUND BASS	STRUCTURAL DEVICES 2 – THEME AND VARIATIONS / HOOKS AND RIFFS / 4-CHORDS	PREPARING FOR GCSE MUSIC
Sum.2	VIDEOGAME MUSIC	SONG-WRITING

 

Where can this subject lead me?

The Key Stage 3 curriculum prepare students who wish to take GCSE music as one of their option subjects. A number of projects will have introduced genres of music which will be assessed in the GCSE course such as fusions (year 9), film music (year 9), world music (year 7&8) and jazz/blues (year 8&9). Students will have gained performance experience in classroom projects and will ideally be having instrumental or singing lessons in addition. The composition tasks in years 7, 8 & 9 will give students a good understanding of how to create music to a number of starting points and in a number of styles. Students will have gained a good level of music vocabulary and knowledge of music theory which will form a good basis for the GCSE course.

 

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Overview

	Year 10	Year 11
Aut.1	AOS3 – MUSIC FOR STAGE AND SCREEN	AOS1 – INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 1700-1820
Aut.2	AOS3 – MUSIC FOR STAGE AND SCREEN	COURSEWORK UNIT 1: PERFORMING UNIT 2: COMPOSING UNIT 3: EXAM REVISION AND PRACTICE
Spr.1	AOS4 - FUSIONS
Spr.2	AOS4 - FUSIONS
Sum.1	AOS2 – VOCAL MUSIC	UNIT 3: EXAM REVISION AND PRACTICE
Sum.2	AOS2 – VOCAL MUSIC

 

Where can this subject lead me?

The GCSE course mirrors the A level music course in terms of the 3 units studied – performing, composing and listening and appraising. The skills gained will prepare students for the higher level of skills and musical understanding needed to succeed at Key Stage 5.

 

Key Stage 5 Curriculum Overview

	Year 12	Year 13
Aut.1	AOS1 WESTERN CLASSICAL TRADITION 1650-1910	COURSEWORK… UNIT 1: EXAM REVISION AND PRACTICE UNIT 2: PERFORMING UNIT 3: COMPOSING
Aut.2	AOS1 WESTERN CLASSICAL TRADITION 1650-1910
Spr.1	AOS2 POP MUSIC
Spr.2	AOS2 POP MUSIC
Sum.1	AOS3 MUSIC AND MEDIA
Sum.2	AOS3 MUSIC AND MEDIA

 

Where can this subject lead me?

A huge variety of courses are available within music across many universities. The BA(hons) music course being the standard course for many students. Performance courses are available for those looking to perform as a career including many contemporary ones. There are also more specific courses in all aspects of music including ‘music business’, ‘music media’, ‘sound engineering’ and ‘music production’ to name just a few!

 

Careers Information

Music is a very specialist and unique subject which demonstrates a number of personal skills vital to all careers, such as dedication, commitment, team-work and creativity. Music jobs can be very varied and are continually evolving. Some of the main ones include…

• Performing – professional musician, singer/songwriter, session musician, pit musician.
• Teaching – school music teacher, peripatetic instrumental tutor, university/college lecturer.
• Music Business – management, record label, publicity, administration, promotion.
• Sound engineering – studio engineer, recording engineer, live-sound engineer.
• Music writer – music journalist, music publisher, music critic, music editor.
• Composer
• Music therapist

 

Other Information

Facilities

Music is mostly taught in the main music classroom. This is equipped with keyboards, Computers with music software and a variety of percussion instruments and ukuleles/guitars/ We have 4 practice rooms each with drum-kit, pianos and amps.

Instrumental Lessons
We currently offer instrumental lessons on Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Singing, Piano, Drum-kit and Guitar. Lessons are taken by visiting private tutors take place for 20 minutes each week. Most lessons are taught on an individual basis and during the timings of the normal school day. Lessons are charged at £100 for a 10-week block per term. Anyone wishing to receive lessons should fill out an application form, available from the Head of Music.

Extra Curricular

The school has a number of ensembles, including a string orchestra, Jazz band, brass ensemble, boys choir, worship group and choir. Other ensembles get together when there are suitable players and interests. There are regular concerts which give students the opportunity to perform. The school ensembles also perform at school and community events and regularly take part in the ‘Celebration of Schools Music’ at Snape Maltings.

School Productions

Two school productions take place each one. The whole-school production takes place in February and the second for students in years 7&8 in July. Recent whole-school productions have included ‘School of Rock’ (2022), ‘The Addams Family’ (2023), ‘Little Shop of Horrors (2024) and ‘Sister Act’ coming in 2025. Last year's 7&8 production was ‘Matilda’ Junior and in 2025 we are hoping to perform ‘Annie’.