Music

Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision and aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish to become the very best version of themselves. The Music curriculum is engaging, relevant and provides appropriate challenge for every student regardless of their starting point in their learning. It also improves academic skills – the role of Music within the academy is important, developing a wide range of skills as noted above.

For a detailed curriculum overview please click HERE.

Assessment objectives are used as a method by which to measure progress in four areas:

• Performance – vocal/singing or instrumental.
• Composing (creating)
• Listening
• Appraising

To be able to perform, demonstrating fluency, accuracy and confidence as well as develop ensemble and solo performance skills according to the task set. Appropriate realisation and use of notation or symbols while performing, inclusive of solo, ensemble or even leadership skill. Evaluative skills such as the ability to improve work and respond to critical feedback as well as following age-related expectations are also assessed.

Assessment in Composition looks at suitability of the creation according to the purpose or brief, making considered or thoughtful use of musical elements and/or devices and refining ideas in order to improve creations including being able to evaluate and discuss areas which can be improved or altered.

Listening and appraising assesses the ability to identify a variety of different instruments, sounds and families, the roles of instruments within the music and also musical devices used. Appropriate use of musical vocabulary is to be used wherever possible and In more advanced appraising tasks, ability to evaluate of how suitable the music is for its purpose, or whether the music suits the genre is also assessed.

It improves academic skills – the role of Music within the academy is important, developing a vast range of skills.

Music and core subjects such as maths are highly intertwined. By understanding beat, rhythm, and scales, children are learning how to divide, create fractions, and recognize patterns. As students get older, they’ll start reciting songs, calling on their short-term memory and eventually their long-term memory. Using a mnemonic device to do this is a method that can later be applied to other memory skills and can also introduce young children to basic physics. For instance, plucking the strings on a guitar or violin teaches children about harmonic and sympathetic vibrations. Even non-string instruments, such as drums and the vibraphone, give big kids the opportunity to explore these scientific principles.

It develops physical skills – Certain instruments, such as percussion, help children develop coordination and motor skills; they require movement of the hands, arms, and feet. This type of instrument is great for high-energy kids. String and keyboard instruments, like the violin and piano, demand different actions from your right and left hands simultaneously. “It’s like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time”. Instruments not only help develop ambidexterity, but they can also encourage children to become comfortable in naturally uncomfortable positions. Enhancing coordination and perfecting timing can prepare children for other hobbies, like dance and sports. It cultivates social skills.

Group classes require peer interaction and communication, which encourage teamwork, as children must collaborate to create a crescendo or an accelerando. If a child is playing his instrument too loudly or speeding up too quickly, he’ll need to adjust. It’s important for children to know and understand their individual part in a larger ensemble.

The study of music refines discipline and patience, boosts self-esteem and introduces students to other cultures through key study areas of

• Performance (Instrumental & Vocal)
• Listening and appraising
• Composing

After KS3 study, we offer the study of BTEC Music and we encourage continued study in this fantastic subject. We know also that choice and personal interest are important aspects of study. Whether you have continued your study of Music into BTEC or not you will have gained access to this enriching subject and its study will have taught you to think differently and deeply.

Music is offered at most prestigious universities or Music colleges such as the Royal Northern College of Music or The Royal Academy of Music, either as a single honors or a joint honors subject studied alongside other disciplines. The very fact that you have been able to study creative thinking will help your future applications be they for colleges, universities, apprenticeships or employment.

Careers that the study of Music supports include:

• Performers & Writers
• Recording
• The Record Industry
• Music Business
• Music Industry Touring
• Facility, Arena & Club management • Film Music
• Music Journalism
• Music Education
• Public Relations & Advertising
• Radio & Television
• Symphony and Orchestra
• Music Health
• Music industry and merchandising
• Instrument work and development

Music links to many of the other subjects you will study at the Academy and is important not just for your development as a student within the academy but as an individual within the wider society. Once you can transfer your skills between subjects, or topics within those subjects, this demonstrates that you really are honing your skills and applying your understanding.

Music plays a significant part in creating balance between work and play, which can positively affect physical and mental wellbeing – Music can change the way you feel.