Music - Curriculum Page

Music in education is important because it significantly enhances cognitive development, including memory, concentration, and mathematical skills, by engaging students in understanding patterns and rhythms. Emotionally, it provides a creative outlet for expressing feelings, while socially, it promotes teamwork and communication through group activities. Academically, music education often leads to improved performance in other subjects, fostering creativity and critical thinking. Physically, it helps develop coordination, motor skills, and proper breath control and posture. Additionally, it promotes cultural awareness and appreciation by exposing students to diverse musical traditions.

Music Development Plan

The comprehensive vision for Music at GHC is provide all pupils with the opportunity to study a wide range a performance, composing and appraising skills.

Subject Leader:  Mrs Stewart

If you have any queries or concerns, please email s-stewart@garthhillcollege.com 

Music - Years 7, 8 and 9

In year 7 and 8 music is taught twice a fortnight, each lesson in 75 minutes. Each unit is approximately 6 lessons, with an assessment in the final lesson. Pupils have the opportunity to compose and perform throughout each unit. In year 9 music is taught once a fortnight, the first term is spent working towards gaining the bronze arts award for Music, Art and Drama.

All year 9 pupils at GHC get the opportunity to work towards a Level 1 Bronze Arts Award in their Art, Drama and Music lessons. 

Pupils will complete the 4 parts of the Arts Award in their lessons and will build a portfolio of work. Through this they will create and participate in arts activities, experience arts events and explore the work of artists, gain 21^st century skills for success in education and employment, develop leadership skills through practical involvement and investigate arts careers.  

Further information about the arts award can be found at the link below:

Arts Award

Topics studied

Year 7:

• Building Bricks
• Keyboard Skills
• I’ve got Rhythm
• Form and Structure
• What makes a good song
• Voiceworks 

Year 8:

1. Hooks and Riffs
2. Soundtracks
3. Musicals
4. Feeling the Blues
5. Computer and Video Game
6. Saharan Sounds

Year 9:

• Unit 1: Ukulele skills Bronze Arts Award
• Unit 2: Performing Music for Media
• Unit 3: Composing Music for Media

All pupils will be able to access Music through theoretical training. At least 15 minutes of every Music lesson will be theory based, with input from teachers about key aspects and pupils then working individually to meet and exceed learning goals. Pupils will be able to identify and use key musical elements through notation.

Pupils need to listen with increasing discrimination to a wide range of music from great composers and musicians.

Activities will include:   

• Listening to, identifying and performing key features of different musical styles  
• Being able to aurally identify different styles of music  
• Be able to use the features of the musical styles to compose their own songs  

Pupils need to identify and use the inter-related dimensions of music expressively and with increasing sophistication, including use of tonalities, different types of scales and other musical devices.  

Pupils will use a range of instruments, in small groups to explore the different units of work. 

** They will work in practice rooms, encouraging independence, collaboration and organisation skills 

Assessment

Each unit is assessed by way of a appraising and performance task. Theory is assessed by way of a written interim assessment and a final written exam which is taken during lesson time.

Home Learning

• Home Learning is set regularly and will always be available on Teams.   
• Home learning will consist of at least one task every 2 weeks. There will be a mixture of practical, listening and theory tasks to complete.

How Parents and Carers Can Support 

• Encourage your child to ask teachers for help if there are any difficulties
• Encourage your child to listen to a variety of styles of music at home
• Encourage your child to show you what they have been learning in class
• Encourage your child to attend any after school revision sessions

Additional Support Available/Useful Links

• https://www.musictheory.net/
• https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/zmsvr82

Reading List

• Forming a Band (Paperback)

• Recording and Promoting Your Music (Paperback)

• The Impact of Technology in Music (Hardback)

Assessment Framework

KS3 Aspects

Assessment Schedules

Assessment Schedule - Year 7

Assessment Schedule - Year 8

Assessment Schedule - Year 9

Learning Journey

Music Road Map KS3, 4 and 5.pdf

Knowledge Organiser

KS3 Knowledge Organiser

MUSIC - YEAR 10 and 11

Pearson BTEC Tech Awards - Level 1/2 BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice

BTEC Tech Award Music Practice

Exam Board and Syllabus:

Pearson

Who is the qualification for?

The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Music Practice is for learners who enjoy music and have an interest in improving their practical skill. The qualification enables learners to develop their skills, such as using musical elements, music creation, performance and music production, using realistic vocational contexts, and their personal skills, such as self-development, responding to a brief, planning and time management through a practical and skills-based approach to learning and assessment.

What does the qualification cover?

The Tech Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific applied knowledge and skills through realistic vocational contexts including;

• development of key skills that prove learners’ aptitude in music, such as responding to a musical brief using musical skills and techniques
• processes that underpin effective ways of working in the music sector
• attitudes that are considered most important in the music sector, including personal management and communication
• knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, processes and attitudes in the sector, such as musical skills and styles.

Components

Learners are required to complete and achieve all three components in the qualification.

What can the qualification lead to?

Study of the qualification as part of Key Stage 4 learning will help learners to make more informed choices for further learning, either generally or in this sector. Learners who generally achieve at Level 2 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider progression to:

• A Levels as preparation for entry to higher education in a range of subjects.
• Study of a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in Music or a BTEC National in Music Technology, which prepares learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or to move on to higher education by studying a degree in the music sector.

Assessment Schedules

Assessment Schedule - Year 10

Assessment Schedule - Year 11