Curriculum Intent
The Music Department is a lively and exciting place where students are free to express themselves through Music. We believe that all pupils, regardless of their background, should be given the opportunity to develop knowledge and enhance instrumental skill. We are very fortunate to benefit from amazing state of the art facilities including a digital recording studio and break out practise spaces. As well as all students in the school benefitting from classroom lessons, we also offer private music lessons in a range of instruments taught by some of the best instrumental teachers in the area. We are fortunate to work in collaboration with Tees Valley Music Service and the excellent enrichment opportunities they provide to our students. Through the rich and varied opportunities within the Music department, we aim to inspire students to be lifelong learners who go on to use the skills they learn with us to create a successful future for themselves.
Keystage 3
In KS3 students will develop three core musical skills: Performance, Composition and Appraising. Students will develop these skills by studying a range of musical styles and traditions and will perform on keyboards, African drums and other instruments as well as using Music Technology to create their own pieces of Dance Music.
GCSE
Edexcel GCSE Music: Students will continue to develop the three core components from KS3. They will be expected to perform for four minutes, both as a soloist and as part of an ensemble and create two different pieces of original music. Finally they will study 8 set works, including music by Queen and the soundtrack to Star Wars!
BTEC Performing Arts: A powerful and expressive subject which encourages students to develop their creative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacity, whatever their previous experience in the subject.
Sixth Form
AQA A Level Music: At A Level students are given the tools to create advanced pieces of music, perform a recital for ten minutes as well as developing their listening and analysing skills by focussing on key pieces of music ranging from Mozart operas right through to film music by Hans Zimmer.
Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Certificate Performing Arts: Performing Arts gives students the understanding of all aspects of the discipline and combines it with the opportunity to specialise. This course allows you to be creative and imaginative within performance and portfolio work. You gain a greater understanding of the arts and will challenge yourself within art forms.