Music
Music Staff
| Miss M Bilsland | Head of Music |
| Mr S Clarke |
KS3
Our music curriculum aims to develop students' practical performance and composition skills, emphasising ensemble work and independent practice. We believe that through these focused areas, students will gain not only musical proficiency but also valuable life skills such as collaboration, creativity, and self-discipline. Additionally, our curriculum is designed to build strong foundations for students intending to pursue GCSE, A Level, and further study in music.
Pupils in Key Stage 3 have the opportunity to develop their musicianship in performing, composing, and listening and appraising in a wide range of topic areas. Pupils develop their skills using their voice, keyboards, guitars, ukuleles, African drums and Cubase in our IT suite.
Year 7 focus on the elements of music through work on musical theatre, music for story, and African music.
Year 8 further reinforce and expand their understanding of the elements through composing a Christmas pop song, graphic scores, and protest songs.
Year 9 further extend their musical elements knowledge and understanding in their study of Music and Media (Film Music), Djing, and exploring world music and how it uses the elements of music differently to the Western canon.
KS4
Our curriculum at Key Stage 4 builds on the learning gained during Key Stage 3. Lessons are focused on delivering the content required for our chosen GCSE specification, Eduqas GCSE Music, as well as providing pupils with a clear foundation in the knowledge and skills required for them to be successful lifelong learners of the subject.
The GCSE is split into 3 main areas: Performing (30%), Composing (30%), and Listening and Appraising (40%). Although these are assessed as discrete units, the curriculum makes strong connections between them as awareness and understanding of all are vital for achieving success at GCSE level.
Pupils analyse set works and develop their understanding of them through wider contextual listening. Pupils complete individual composition work where they are encouraged to develop their own creative voice. Pupils also enjoy a range of performance opportunities to develop their proficiency as performers, whatever their specialist instrument or voice.
More detailed information about the specific demands of the curriculum can be found in the exam specification (please see the link below).
KS5
Our curriculum at Key Stage 5 builds on the learning gained during Key Stage 4, although not all learners may have studied GCSE Music, instead coming onto the course through high-quality performance work and graded music theory exams. Lessons are focused on delivering the content required for our chosen GCE specification, Eduqas GCE Music, as well as providing pupils with a clear foundation in the knowledge and skills required for them to be successful lifelong learners of the subject.
The GCE is split into 3 main areas: Performing (30%), Composing (30%), and Listening and Appraising (40%). Although these areas are assessed as discrete units, the curriculum makes strong connections between them as awareness and understanding of all are vital for achieving success at GCE level.
Pupils analyse set works and develop breadth of understanding and awareness of many musical genres and periods through wider contextual listening. Pupils complete individual composition work where they are encouraged to develop their own creative voice whilst also learning and demonstrating understanding of the fundamentals of the Western Classical tradition in harmony work. Pupils also enjoy a range of opportunities to develop their proficiency as performers, whatever their specialist instrument or voice.
More detailed information about the specific demands of the curriculum can be found in the exam specification (please see the link below).
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
Our extracurricular music programme is designed to complement and enhance the curricular music education, providing students with additional opportunities to explore, develop, and showcase their musical talents. We aim to create an inclusive and dynamic environment where students can engage in a variety of musical activities, fostering a sense of community, teamwork, and artistic expression.
Our annual school production is very popular and typically around 100 pupils are involved as performers on stage, as technical support off-stage and behind the scenes. We are very proud that the music is always performed by pupils in school and this often presents a real challenge to our students that they respond extremely well to.
We have a part choir which performs a wide range of repertoire. We perform at our annual Carol Service at Pershore Abbey. In the upcoming year, we will be performing to the local community and pupils have the opportunity to sing as part of the Gotta Sing and young voices performances. In the last academic year, some of our pupils sang in an international choir which brought together several school choirs to sing Will Todd’s Mass in Blue with the composer, his trio, and Jess Glyn.