Key Stage Three

In Year 7-9, students will develop a modern and relevant understanding of where music fits into their own lives and learn about a variety of the most important and interesting genres of music that formed modern culture, such as Britpop, Blues, Calypso, Electronic music, Film and Video Game Music and Reggae. We explore these genres through the use of music technology (and associated keyboard and computer skills) and singing. Students are assessed on their ability to perform music and create new music and also practise using key words to describe music and musical instruments.

Key Stage Four

Students in Year 10 and 11 can opt for the GCSE Music pathway following Eduqas GCSE Music (9-1), and/or for the Music Technology pathway (Following NCFE Level 1/2 Music Technology).

Those following the GCSE Music route will critically listen to music in a variety of genres, following four areas of study: AOS1 – Musical Forms and Devices (including classical music), AOS2 – Music for Ensemble (Jazz, Blues, Musical Theatre),  AOS3 – Film Music, and AOS4 – Popular Music (including pop, rock, Bhangra, and other subgenres). As part of this they will study two set pieces: Badinerie by J.S. Bach (1738) and Africa by Toto (1982). This is all assessed in a listening exam. Alongside this they will develop an understanding of music theory, work towards a solo performance and an ensemble performance on their chosen instrument and complete two compositions, one of which will be to a brief set by the exam board in Year 11.

Those following the Music Technology pathway will learn and critically listen to a variety of modern and electronic music genres, with particular attention to the software, equipment and techniques used to create them. They will practise producing their own music using these techniques to develop composition skills, knowledge of music theory, and contextual understanding of how modern music genres developed. In the process they will also develop and be assessed on knowledge of professional workflow and computer use. In Year 11 students will complete a controlled (non-exam) assessment in class time in which they plan, produce and evaluate a new piece of music to an exam brief, and at the end of the course they will sit an exam which assesses a mixture of listening skills, technical knowledge and music theory.