Staff 

Head of Department: Mrs L Randle

Teacher: Mr G Hayles

Teacher: Ms J Pineau

Intent

The music curriculum enables students to learn key musical skills through a broad range of topics and genres of music. We aim to make out curriculum aspirational and inclusive, as well as being a musically authentic experience leading to a lifelong love of music making. Our curriculum covers the musical greats in many genres of music and aims to engage students in the music in the world around them, broadening their musical horizons and developing them as confident, imaginative and empathetic people. As accomplished well trained musicians, our teachers work as musical leaders within the classroom, both inspiring students and allowing them to take risks and perform to the best of their ability. Our spiralized curriculum ensures that students build on their prior knowledge and develop their skills in performing, composing and listening and appraising. We aim to provide an engaging and vibrant learning environment where students can use a range of industry standard music technology equipment and instruments to prepare them to progress to further musical education and work within the music profession. Developing student’s character is at the heart of our curriculum. We aim to create students who are courageous: who can perform to an audience, are confident to show their personality, creativity and opinions and work collaboratively with others. Student voice is key within lessons and students are supported to pursue their own musical passions and develop their intellectual curiosity. In addition to our curriculum, the department also has a wide reaching and inclusive extra-curricular programme, which enables to students to perform within school and their wider community. Through partnership with other arts organizations, students are able to develop their cultural capital and experience music making at the highest level.

Curriculum Overview

Key Stage 3

We follow the National Curriculum for music and offer a wide range of topics. Students have one hour of music a week and are taught in the college’s new state of the art music department. Practical music making is at the heart of the music curriculum and all lessons involve practical music making. Students learning time is divided between practical work using musical instruments and singing and music technology work, using Logic Pro X and Garageband. Students learn how to play and compose through project work, as well as learning the background information and theory about these topics. Projects include; Film music, popular music performances, programmatic music, Samba and Bhangra. Student’s practical work is recorded and assessed regularly to monitor progress.

Key Stage 4

Course to start in 2023

The RSL music practitioners award is a level 2 vocational music qualification, equivalent to GCSE. It is designed and managed by Rock School, meaning that it is uniquely tailored to the needs of the emerging professional musician. The course is mainly performance based, whilst also giving students a broad knowledge of musical styles, the musical elements and careers based professional practice.

The course is mostly controlled assessment and involves a live performance exam in year 11.

Units studied:

Unit 201- Musical knowledge

Unit 202- Live musical performance

Unit 204- Instrumental study

Exam Board

RSL

Extra-curricular

The music department has a vibrant and popular extra-curricular programme. All students are able to learn an instrument, free of charge, taught by The Birmingham Music Service. The school has a 60 strong choir, who perform both in school and in the wider community. They regularly represent the school and are a very important part of school life. Students can also join Keyboard Club, Dhol Band and Karaoke Club. The music department is open every break time, and many students attend to work on their classwork or practice their instruments.

Useful Links

Year 7

https://www.educationquizzes.com/library/New-Printable-Quizzes-From-TES/KS3_Music_-_Fundamental_Elements_of_Music.pdf

https://www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/music/year-7-revision-01/year 7

Year 8

https://www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/music/jazz-improvisation-01/

https://www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/music/fundamental-elements-of-music-01/

Year 9

https://www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/music/the-song-01/