Curriculum Intent
The Music Department aims to provide all students with a broad and engaging musical education through a diverse range of instrumental experiences across Years 7–13. Through carefully sequenced schemes of work, students develop their skills in performing, composing, listening, and evaluating, while exploring a variety of musical styles, traditions, and instruments. Our curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire students at all levels, fostering creativity, confidence, collaboration, and a lifelong appreciation of music.
Central to our curriculum are the key strands of Melody, Rhythm, Ensemble, and Composing, which are woven throughout every year of study. These strands provide a clear progression of knowledge and skills, enabling students to develop musical fluency, perform with increasing confidence and accuracy, collaborate effectively with others, and create original musical ideas. By revisiting and building upon these core concepts across a range of musical contexts, students deepen their understanding and strengthen their musicianship over time to support their transition into KS4 and KS5.
Key Stage 3
Year 7 Curriculum Overview
Autumn Term
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Half Term 1 – The Orchestra
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Half Term 2 – Rhythm and Metre
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Knowledge
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- Listening to different instruments
- Identifying different instruments
- Knowing the layout
- Understanding the 4 principal families
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- Identifying basic musical rhythm – semibreve, minim, crotchet, quavers, semiquavers
- Reading and performing rhythms with voice/clapping
- Performing in a group setting
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How we assess
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- A multiple choice listening and theory test completed independently at the end
- of the half term
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- Group performance reading rhythms by clapping in time with each other at the end of the half term
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Spring Term
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Half Term 3 – Melody
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Half Term 4 – Ukulele and Singing
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Knowledge
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- Identifying notes on piano
- Identifying notes on a stave
- Learning to read music notation
- Learning to play the piano/keyboard
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- Identifying what a chord is
- Learning how to read tablature
- Learning how to play the Ukulele
- Singing popular songs whilst playing the Ukulele
- Co-operation in an ensemble
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How we assess
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- Solo performance on the piano at the end of the half term
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- Group performance playing the ukulele and singing at the end of the half term
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Summer Term
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Half Term 5 – Minimalism
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Half Term 6 – Bandlab
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Knowledge
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- Identifying key musical features of Minimalism
- Transferring ‘Melody’ skills onto keyboard
- Learning a minimalistic piece of music
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- How to use a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to create music electronically.
- Sampling, cutting, editing
- Creative freedom for any genre to be composed
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How we assess
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- Solo performance on the piano/keyboard at the end of the half term
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- Solo showcase of create music via mp3 at the end of the half term
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Year 8 Curriculum Overview
Rotation 1
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Topic 1 – African Drumming
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Topic 2 - Blues
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Knowledge
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- Skills from year 7 ‘Rhythm and Metre’ developed
- Polyrhythms using a Djembe
- History of African drumming
- Chanting in Zulu to ‘Kye Kye Kule’
- Playing A Djembe
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- Skills from year 7 ‘Melody’ developed
- Improvisation
- History of Blues and the slave trade, American Civil War
- Blue scale/walking bass/ 12-bar blues
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How we assess
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- Group performance reading rhythms by performing on a Djembe in time with each other, whilst chanting a traditional Zulu song, at the end of the half term
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- Solo/duet performance on the piano/keyboard/guitar/voice at the end of the half term
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Rotation 2
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Topic 3 – Programme Music
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Topic 4 – A capella and Beatboxing
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Knowledge
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- Skills from year 7 ‘Bandlab’ developed
- Sampling, cutting, editing
- Compose music for the story of ‘The Hare and the Tortoise’
- Foreground and background
- MIDI
- Leitmotifs
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- Skills from year 7 ‘Ukulele and Singing’ developed
- Beatboxing
- A capella singing
- Ensemble work to re-create a song without instruments
- Identifying melody, chords, beats
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How we assess
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- Solo showcase of create music via mp3 at the end of the half term
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- Group performance performing the chosen song at the end of the half term
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Year 9 Curriculum Overview
Rotation 1
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Topic 1 – Samba
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Topic 2 – Film Music
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Knowledge
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- Skills from year 8 ‘African Drumming’ developed
- Improvisation
- Polyrhythms using a various Samba percussion equipment
- History of Brazilian Samba
- Whole Class ensemble
- Leading the ensemble
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- Skills from year 8 ‘Programme Music’ developed
- Composition skills
- Sampling, cutting, editing
- Compose music for an hypothetical Horror movie scene
- Foreground and background
- MIDI
- Leitmotifs, hit points, jump scares
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How we assess
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- Whole class performance of the Samba band rhythms
- Students have an opportunity to be assessed as the leader of the ensemble also
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- Solo showcase of create music via mp3 at the end of the half term
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Rotation 2
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Topic 3 – Band Workshop
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Topic 4 – Free Choice Project
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Knowledge
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- Skills from year 8 ‘Acapella and Beatboxing’ developed
- Guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboard, vocals
- Ensemble co-operation
- Ensemble work to re-create a song with stereotypical band instruments
- Identifying/learning melody, chords, beats
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- Skills from all topics over three years utilised
- Students can create a musical project of their choice based on all prior learning
- They have to work independently of the teacher to finalise their work
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How we assess
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- Group performance performing the chosen song at the end of the half term
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- Performance at the end of the half term
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Key Stage 3 useful resources
edu.bandlab.com
www.musictheory.net
KS3 Music - BBC Bitesize
Key Stage 4
Year 10 Curriculum Overview – GCSE Music
Autumn Term
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Half Term 1
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Half Term 2
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Knowledge
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- Elements of Music recap
- Musical forms and devices
- New GCSE key words
- Instruments of the orchestra recap
- Performance skills
- GCSE composing
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- The Baroque period
- Composers of the Baroque period
- Melodic and harmonic devices
- Performance skills
- GCSE composing
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How we assess
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- Quizzes
- Practice exam questions
- Online tests
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- Quizzes
- Practice exam questions
- Online tests
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Spring Term
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Half Term 3
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Half Term 4
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Knowledge
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- The work of J.S. Bach
- Set work – Badinerie by J.S. Bach
- Revision for Year 10 mock
- Performance skills
- GCSE composing
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- Revision for Year 10 mock
- Classical and Romantic periods
- Music for ensemble
- Essay writing
- Performance skills
- GCSE composing
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How we assess
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- Quizzes
- Practice exam questions
- Essay practice
- Online tests
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- Quizzes
- Practice exam questions
- Essay practice
- Online tests
- First formal Year 10 mock exams
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Summer Term
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Half Term 5
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Half Term 6
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Knowledge
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- Film Music
- Essay writing
- Popular Music
- Performance skills
- GCSE composing
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- Music for Ensemble (Jazz, Blues and Musical Theatre)
- Popular Music
- Performance skills
- GCSE composing
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How we assess
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- Quizzes
- Practice exam questions
- Essay practice
- Online tests
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- Quizzes
- Practice exam questions
- Essay practice
- Online tests
- Performance recording submission
- Composition draft submission
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Year 11 Curriculum Overview
Autumn Term
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Half Term 1
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Half Term 2
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Knowledge
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- Popular Music
- Set work – Africa by Toto
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- Musical forms and devices recap
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How we assess
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- Whole-class performance of Africa
- Quizzes
- Practice exam papers
- Essay practice
- Online tests
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- Quizzes
- Practice exam questions
- Essay practice
- Online tests
- First formal Year 11 mock exam
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Spring Term
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Half Term 3
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Half Term 4
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Knowledge
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- Preparation for coursework final submission
- Revision for Year 11 mock 2
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- Revision of all Areas of Study
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How we assess
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- Quizzes
- Practice exam questions
- Essay practice
- Online tests
- Second formal Year 11 mock exam
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- Quizzes
- Practice exam questions
- Essay practice
- Online tests
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Summer Term
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Half Term 5
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Knowledge
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- Exam revision
- Complete all remaining past papers
- Flexible revision sessions
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How we assess
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- Quizzes
- Practice exam questions
- Essay practice
- Online tests
- Past papers
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Key Stage 4 GCSE Music useful resources
Focus on Sound
Key Stage 4
Year 10 Curriculum Overview – BTEC Music Technology
Autumn Term
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Half Term 1
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Half Term 2
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Knowledge
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- Advance DAW work
- Advanced knowledge of how to use a Digital Audio Workstation
- Toolbar, recording, sampling, cutting, editing, MIDI, automation, tempo changing, pitch shifting, re-mixing.
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- Recording studio techniques
- Understand how to use the recording studio
- Understanding microphones
- Jack/XLR cables
- Audio interface
- Patch bay
- Mixing desk
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How we assess
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- Informal assessment showcasing students abilities and creation to class.
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- Informal assessment showcasing students abilities and creation to class.
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Spring Term
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Half Term 3
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Half Term 4
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Knowledge
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- Component 1: Exploring Music Products and Styles (36 guided learning hours)
- Demonstrate an understanding of styles of music (research task)
- Apply understanding of the use of techniques to create music (using a DAW)
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- Component 1: Exploring Music Products and Styles (36 guided learning hours)
- Demonstrate an understanding of styles of music (research task)
- Apply understanding of the use of techniques to create music (using a DAW)
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How we assess
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- Assessment is via the Pearson Edexcel assessment grid out of 60 marks over 5 sections ranging from a Level 1 Pass to a Level 2 Distinction
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Assessment is via the Pearson Edexcel assessment grid out of 60 marks over 5 sections ranging from a Level 1 Pass to a Level 2 Distinction
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Summer Term
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Half Term 5
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Half Term 6
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Knowledge
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- Component 2: Music Skills Development (36 guided learning hours)
- Demonstrate professional and commercial skills for the music industry
- Evaluate skills in time management, skills development, software knowledge, hardware knowledge, music knowledge, theoretical knowledge.
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- Component 2: Music Skills Development (36 guided learning hours)
- Demonstrate professional and commercial skills for the music industry
- Evaluate skills in time management, skills development, software knowledge, hardware knowledge, music knowledge, theoretical knowledge.
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How we assess
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- No formal assessment in this half term
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- No formal assessment in this half term
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Year 11 Curriculum Overview
Autumn Term
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Half Term 1
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Half Term 2
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Knowledge
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- Component 2: Music Skills Development (36 guided learning hours)
- Apply development processes for music skills and techniques (using Cubase Pro 10)
- Act upon evaluation at end of year 10 to create and outcome that demonstrates ability to develop your own skills in an identified area.
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- Component 2: Music Skills Development (36 guided learning hours)
- Apply development processes for music skills and techniques (using Cubase Pro 10)
- Act upon evaluation at end of year 10 to create and outcome that demonstrates ability to develop your own skills in an identified area.
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How we assess
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- Assessment is via the Pearson Edexcel assessment grid out of 60 marks over 5 sections ranging from a Level 1 Pass to a Level 2 Distinction
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- Assessment is via the Pearson Edexcel assessment grid out of 60 marks over 5 sections ranging from a Level 1 Pass to a Level 2 Distinction
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Spring Term
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Half Term 3
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Half Term 4
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Knowledge
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- Component 2: Music Skills Development (36 guided learning hours)
- Apply development processes for music skills and techniques (using Cubase Pro 10)
Act upon evaluation at end of year 10 to create and outcome that demonstrates ability to develop your own skills in an identified area.
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- Component 3: Responding to a Music Brief (48 guided learning hours)
- Performing stylistically accurate cover versions
- Creating original music using existing stylistic frameworks and traits
- Stylistic use of a DAW and associated hardware to create an original piece of music from a given starting point.
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How we assess
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- Informal assessment in class
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- Assessment is external and marked by Pearson Edexcel as the final unit of work
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Summer Term
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Half Term 5
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Knowledge
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- Component 3: Responding to a Music Brief (48 guided learning hours)
- Performing stylistically accurate cover versions
- Creating original music using existing stylistic frameworks and traits
- Stylistic use of a DAW and associated hardware to create an original piece of music from a given starting point.
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How we assess
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- Assessment is external and marked by Pearson Edexcel as the final unit of work
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Key Stage 4 BTEC Music Technology useful resources
edu.bandlab.com
Enrichment Opportunities
Clubs
School Orchestra
Choir
Advanced Vocals
Ukulele Club
African Drumming Club
Music Technology Club
Music Appreciation Club
House Band
Daily Practice rooms
Concerts
Annual Whole School Production (Autumn)
Spring Music Concert
Celebration of Music Concert (Summer)
Presentation Evening (January)
Carol Concert (December)
2x city centre concerts on our bi-annual trips abroad
Trips
Bi-annual Music trip abroad (Italy 2016/Germany 2018/Belgium 2023/France 2025/Germany 2027)
Canterbury Cathedral KS5 trip
Saffron Walden Orchestral Trip
Horniman KS4 trip
Royal Albert Hall KS4/KS5 trip