Music

Statements of Intent: 

• Learners are encouraged to build an understanding of how musical elements work through exploring music from a wide variety of genres and cultures.
• Our curriculum enables all learners to gain an aural knowledge of some of the great musical output of human civilisation and engage with creative processes through performance and composition.
• We promote an understanding of music’s role in shaping individuals, culture and community for good.
• We aim to nurture creativity, confidence and resilience through active learning and participation and encourage learners to discuss and reflect upon their own work and that of their peers. 

• We seek to inspire successful collaboration, with learners able to access a wide range of extra-curricular groups and given the opportunity to watch and take part in live musical performances both within school and the wider community.

Key Stage 3

• At Key Stage 3, learners will work in small groups to develop their composing and performing skills and gain a greater understanding of existing musical traditions and their practices of making-music.
• Learners perform, create, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, cultures and traditions, including the works of great composers and musicians.
• Learners create their own music through the use of music technology and perform on a variety of instruments and timbres, both digital and acoustic.
• Key Stage 3 also provides a route to being able to choose and succeed in further qualifications including GCSE, and/or to play a part in the musical life of the school and their community.

Key Stage 4

• At Key Stage 4 learners will follow the OCR exam syllabus.
• They will develop knowledge and understanding of set genres, including music for film, the concerto, the popular song and music from around the world.  
• They will compose original pieces in a variety of styles and perform as both a soloist and a member of a musical ensemble.
• A listening exam in year 11 will test their knowledge of a wide range of musical genres.

Key Stage 5

• At Key Stage 5 learners will follow the AQA exam syllabus and will further develop their knowledge and understanding of both musical history and stylistic harmony.
• They will build upon previous work through composition and performance. They will study a series of set works from the Western Classical Tradition from the Baroque period to the present day as well as Music for Media and compose original works in a range of musical styles.
• An exam in year 13 will test their ability to listen to and appraise familiar and unfamiliar music.

Transition

GCSE to A Level Transition Booklet

Extra Curricular

We offer a wide and varied range of extra curricular activities for students of all abilities. Singers have the opportunity to join both the School Choir and the Gospel Choir, while instrumentalists can participate in an Orchestra, Big Band and Brass Ensemble. Students regularly perform in concerts both in the local community and abroad on European Music Tours.