Music

CURRICULUM INTENT

We believe that students deserve a broad and ambitious music curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge, which ignites curiosity and prepares them well for future learning or employment. Our music curriculum will give students the opportunity to:

  • Develop a thorough understanding of music, through performing, composing listening, analysing and recording
  • Develop self-confidence through performance, both through lessons and extra-curricular participation
  • Encourage creativity through composition skills
  • Understand the complexities of music through analysis of a wide range of genres from different musical and cultural perspectives
  • Encourage personal development through ensemble performances and group compositions
  • Understand how music can support the development of life skills, such as confidence, self awareness, perseverance and discipline and provide a holistic experience that they can take beyond their musical studies
  • Develop their cross-curricular skills of problem solving, perseverance, diligence, team work, time management, organisation, responsibility and cultural history
  • Gain a sense of achievement through performance

 

CURRICULUM RATIONALE

Our rationale for content taught KS3:  

  • To provide a foundation of knowledge, concepts and skills which will serve KS4 Music and beyond.  
  • To build on pupils’ previous knowledge and skills through performing, composing and listening.
  • To provide opportunities to develop their vocal and/or instrumental fluency, accuracy and expressiveness, and understand musical structures, styles, genres and traditions, identifying the expressive use of musical dimensions. 

KS4:  

  • To build on pupils’ previous knowledge and skills through performing, composing and listening.
  • To provide opportunities to develop their vocal and/or instrumental fluency, accuracy and expressiveness, and understand musical structures, styles, genres and traditions, identifying the expressive use of musical dimensions.  
  • To provide opportunities to listen with increasing discrimination and awareness to inform their practice as musicians. 
  • To provide opportunities to use technologies appropriately and appreciate and understand a wide range of musical contexts and styles.
The principles that shape our curriculum throughout the stages
  • To engage and enthuse a love of Music through a variety of pupil centred approaches to learning.  
  • To provide every pupil, regardless of ability to deepen their love of music through performing and composing in a style or genre that suits their passion and experience
  • To provide students with the opportunity to develop their music producing skills, listening/appraising skills and understanding of available careers in the music industry.
  • To  link their learning with real-life experiences in the music industry
Sequencing of curriculum
  • Lessons are sequenced based on end goals at each half term, units are sequenced to develop the students’ understanding further and to reinforce prior learning through the use of retrieval practice.
Retain and recall
  • As students increase their knowledge they are regularly encouraged to reflect back and make links, for example the use of chords in the year 7 unit that are explored in more depth in the year 8 Rock School unit.
Assessment
  • Ongoing teacher based formal assessment happens throughout lessons
  • Summative feedback is recorded at the end of each unit during milestone assessments at each half term.
  • Results are measured against each students’ MEGs to identify success and students in need of more support.
Enrichment
  • We offer a selection of extra curricular activities throughout the year including opportunities to perform within school concerts and at external venues. We also provide links with industry organisations and have music professionals come into the school to share their experience and advice. 

 

STAFF CONTACTS

Curriculum Team Leader for Music – Mr Alastair Webb

Last Name First Name Staff Code Work Email
Webb Alastair AWB awebb@sackvilleschool.org.uk
Robinson Tracy TRN trobinson@sackvilleschool.org.uk