Intent of curriculum 

Music is a phenomenon that is a crucial and integrated part of 21^st Century life. It reaches to everybody, consciously and subconsciously, whether through active participation or by being affected by music in advertising or film and TV. It is a rare subject in that it forms part of our entertainment or relaxation, yet can also demand a thoroughly academic response, worthy of intense analysis and scrutiny. It therefore encompasses popular culture and high art, warrants an intellectual approach yet can be accessible on an emotional level, requires years of practice to master skills of composition and performance yet can produce highly sophisticated results through the application of technology from anybody with a passion and motivation. It is our intent at Heber to encompass these seemingly paradoxical features and facilitate every students’ musical passions and unlock potential that may be both obvious through unbridled enthusiasm, or less transparent through a seeming reluctance. We will endeavour to use a range of musical traditions, genres, and styles to do this, giving opportunities for students to develop skills of improvisation, composing, instrument specific performance skills and powers of analysis using a subject rich vocabulary and developing strong communication skills to allow students access to music at GCSE, Advanced level and beyond. We will also strive to give students a vision that music will play an important role in adult life, beyond the classroom whether or not it becomes a formal pursuit beyond key stage 3. We will give students the skills, tools, and knowledge to find an individual pathway through their music curriculum, but also provide opportunities for invaluable collaborative work via ensemble playing, group composing and discussion of an eclectic range of music. The introduction of listening repertoire will enhance students’ Cultural Capital and promote the school’s Words Matter policy via a ‘Composer of the Fortnight’ initiative. Timetabled lessons will be supplemented by an accessible range of extra-curricular performance opportunities; some purely musical, others in partnership with drama and dance and involving students across all year groups and from other schools. Music provides a unique opportunity for students of different age ranges to work together on a unified goal and through productions and other performances, we intend to provide and facilitate these opportunities for everyone.

Implementation of curriculum 

At KS3, students will be taught in mixed ability tutor groups and will have a weekly classroom Music lesson in Years 7 and 8. At Year 7, the focus of these lessons will be building skills in composing and performing, introducing basic keyboard and percussion skills, promoting singing, and using musical devices when improvising and composing. The focus will be on ensemble work for these practical skills. Students will also be introduced to a strong musical vocabulary in keeping with the school’s Words Matter initiative. At Year 8, students will work in a variety of styles, genres and traditions and be given the opportunities to develop their skills and techniques within these different contexts. At Year 9, classroom music lessons are fortnightly (to allow for redressing the balance of curriculum time in Drama). The focus in Year 9 is to promote students’ individual curiosities for Music, nurturing independence, autonomy, and collaborative rehearsal skills. Throughout key stage 3, students will be encouraged to participate in extra-curricular Performing Arts activities and given opportunities to learn an instrument with Music for Life, our instrumental and vocal peripatetic music partners. Lessons for disadvantaged students will be funded from the school’s PP budget. Assessment at KS3 will feature regular teacher marked work and feedback, supplemented by peer and self-assessment. Records of work will be recorded in the students’ music workbooks and appropriate homework will be set and marked. In line with the school’s assessment policy, student progress will be tracked termly, based on indicative student grades.  At KS4, GCSE Music will be delivered through the Edexcel specification (1MU0) and Edexcel A Level Music Technology (9MT0), will be embedded into KS5.

Impact of curriculum 

We aspire for our learners to be confident musicians. At key stage 3, we expect our students to play and sing with increasing control and expression and improvise and compose music using established musical conventions and devices. We want our students to have an increasing awareness of an eclectic musical canon, appreciating works from the Western classical and popular music traditions, as well as experiencing genres and styles from other cultures and traditions. The impact of the curriculum will, of course be measured through progress in the regular assessments, but also through lesson observations, work scrutiny and uptake at key stage 4 Music, KS5 Music Technology and student engagement in extra-curricular Music and Performing Arts.