The Team

Music plays a vibrant role in our school life and it is highly valued by our students, with practice rooms consistently in use before school and during break times with students rehearsing their class work. The department is extensively resourced with two large well-equipped music rooms and a computer room equipped with MuseScore 4, Sibelius and Ableton software for composing.

The department runs an extensive extra-curricular programme including five Choirs, String Ensemble, Folk Band, Jazz Band, Guitars and Ukuleles, and Orchestra to name a few. For Sixth Form students only, Vic Cox, professional bassist, runs the Sixth Form Enrichment Band which puts on termly concerts. Over 150 students are currently involved in some form of extra-curricular music. There is at least one formal concert every term, taking place in the Theatre and Liturgy space. Biannually, around 50 students take part in a week-long international concert tour where choirs and instrumental groups perform concerts to the local public. Over the last few years, we have been to Strasbourg, Obernai, Salzburg, York and Antwerp.

Key Stage 3 Information

The Key Stage 3 curriculum focuses on the mastery of reading and writing notation whilst developing a practical and aural knowledge and use of the elements of music.

All KS3 students have 2 hours of music over a two-week timetable and follow a varied programme of study which balances performance, composition and analysis.

Units studied throughout KS3 include:

Year 7: Mastery, Find Your Voice, Rondo Form, Animals in Music, Gamelan and Four Chord Song

Year 8: Blues, Variations, Planets in Music, Indian Music, Classical Music and Folk Music

Year 9: Baroque Music, Film Music, Song Writing, Musical Theatre, Britpop and Battle of the Bands

Key Stage 4 Information

In Years 10 and 11, students who have opted for GCSE music follow the Edexcel syllabus analysing 8 Set Works from; Instrumental music 1700-1820, Vocal Music, Music for Stage and Screen and Fusion. They also develop their Performance and Composition skills to the highest levels.