Intent
Churchmead Music creates learners who are imaginative, optimistic and inventive; finding their voice to become effective communicators.
The department aims to give students the opportunity to express their individuality through collaborative working in a safe environment. We help pupils experience and develop new musical and professional skills which will be invaluable for life. Through music, we will support the development of personal qualities such as confidence skills as well as communication skills. Our collaborative working will give the students the opportunity to build their self-confidence, resilience and create a thirst for learning. At the core of the subject, we will be expanding their social awareness, empathy, and understanding of the overall impact of music on society.
Pupils will explore the different careers in the music industry and will gain the skills needed to be a successful performer, composer and/or producer. Through personal reflections and reflections of others, pupils will grow their appreciation of a wide range of styles of music.
Our ambition is to provide an academic Music curriculum that nurtures theoretical knowledge and practical skills and cultural capital. Each scheme of work is coherently planned to guide students, through a mixture of independent and collaborative working, towards an effective performance or composition. We aim to stimulate their passion and motivation to learn about current and past situations which are beyond their own experience, in a safe and supportive environment.
The intent for Music in Years 7 and 8 is to build and develop skills which will allow our pupils the opportunity to succeed in all aspects of life including future employment. At KS4 the intent is not only focused on the internal and external assessments of the Music BTEC, but to embed a thirst for the understanding the industry. Studying Music asks pupils to think critically and engage emotionally. Music is an inspiring and challenging subject which prepares all young people to live and work with confidence in the wider world.
Implementation
Throughout Key Stage Three, students are provided with the opportunity to experience a range of skills to develop the understanding and knowledge of music. These skills are continually developed to support the knowledge needed for Key Stage Four.
Our curriculum focuses on teaching instrumental and compositional skills allowing them to become accomplished musicians. The curriculum is designed so students will explore different styles and genres of music. They will be able to showcase their knowledge through appraising, performing and composing.
All Music lessons are taught in a brand-new Music Room, equipped with instruments and Apple Mac Computers. For students in Year 7 and Year 8, they will study Music for one hour a week. At KS4, the students’ study for five hours per fortnight as they work towards their BTEC in Music Practice. The class sizes at KS4 are smaller which allow for more focussed time with the students.
The topics explored in KS3, aid learning in KS4. As with Drama, cross curricular planning and links with PSHE is vital throughout our KS3 and KS4 Music curriculum. Teachers are enthusiastic in creating an environment which prepares students for a career in the music industry. At KS4, students follow the Edexcel BTEC Music Practice course which allows them to develop their knowledge of musical styles, performance and composition.
Lessons are both practical and theory based with assessments to evaluate progress. During each topic, students will develop their self and peer evaluation skills as well as receive formative feedback from their teacher. The students will then be given DIRT time to improve composition and performance skills. Each topic is assessed through a practical performance and written assessment. A range of teaching and learning strategies are used to ensure lessons which stimulate learning and progress. Practical approaches are combined with theory so that research and analysis can be put into practice.
Students have the opportunity to learn the piano, the ukulele and the guitar both collaboratively and independently. A range of musical styles are explored to broaden students understanding of different cultures.
Topics covered in Year 7
- Introduction to Music (where students study basic music theory)
- Christmas Carols
- The Ukulele Project
- The Blues (Component 2- Musical Skills Development)
- The Classical Period (Component 1- Exploring Music Products and Styles)
Topics covered in Year 8
- Electronic Dance Music (Component 1 AND Component 2)
- Jingles (Component 3- Responding to a Music Brief)
- The Romantic Period (Component 1 AND Component 2)
- Film Music (Component 3)
- Cover Songs (Component 3)
- The Samba Project (Component 1)
KS4
- Component 1 (Year 9 Mock and Year 10 Internal Assessment, Summer)
- The students will research, develop and showcase understanding of at least 10 different styles of Music. The assessment is a written portfolio of evidence.
- Component 2 (Year 9 Mock and Year 10 Internal Assessment, Autumn)
- The students will develop professional and musical skills. The aim of the component is to learn processes to assist independent and collaborative progress of a practical skill on a chosen instrument.
- Component 3 (Year 9 & 10 Mock and Year 11 External Assessment, Summer)
- The students will draw upon information learned from Component 1 and Component 2. Students will present a reimagined piece which have been created in a different musical style to the original. The students will compose and perform or compose and produce this new interpretation of an original song.
Impact
Churchmead Music creates learners who are confident, resilient, well-rounded citizens; they understand the world’s communities and are ready to discover their place in it.
Music focuses on improving composition and performance skills as well as gaining a better knowledge of a variety of different styles of music from past and present. Students will have the opportunity to compose their own music, study and reflect on the musical elements of other musical works. Music is a creative, enjoyable and thought-provoking subject where students have the opportunity to perform to different audiences. The impact on students should be a continuous increase of passion and motivation for experiencing the subject.
Students in Year 7 are welcome to join Choir where they will have the opportunity to perform in Worship, the Christmas Service and Easter Service. All students are welcome to participate in Keyboard Club and Guitar Club. This will allow them to build on the skills they are learning in their Music lessons.
Even though the Music Department is a relatively new department, the number of students participating in the co-curricular clubs are growing. There is a strong sense of collaboration among the students. Pupils are keen to develop their practical skills, watch their classmates perform and enjoy helping each other improve.
The Music course is designed to help students develop:
- Creativity, and confidence
- Practical skill for communicating and expressing ideas
- Understanding of a variety of musical elements, musical styles and the historical context in which they operate.
- Knowledge and understanding of the impact of Music within a social, cultural and historical context
- A love and passion for Music and the arts.
What kind of skills will the course develop and how will these skills help prepare them for their next steps?
- Composing and performing skills- Prepares students for a career in the Music Industry.
- Collaborative work and inter-personal skills- Preparation for interviews, the work pace and social situations.
- Self-confidence and expression to assist social situations in adult life.
- Communication skills- benefits all careers in the future.
- Creative, analytical and evaluative skills- prepares them for the world of work.