Music

Curriculum Intent

Studying Music helps our students to build confidence through performance and develop self- discipline through rehearsal and preparation. 

Music pushes students to refine and improve their creative responses. 

Studying Music gives our students an appreciation and understanding of the rich and varied history of music from all around the world, and the social and cultural happenings which shaped it. 

Through the study of music, our students develop transferrable skills that they will inevitably use in all other areas of learning, tapping into multiple skill sets, often simultaneously. 

Our students will learn that music is for everyone. 

Key Stage 3:

  • 2 x 60-minute lessons per fortnight. 
  • Classes are mixed ability. 
  • Work is complete in booklets which are kept at home and brought to lesson.       
  • Assessments are once per term and the assessment is marked out of 80. 
  • Progress is monitored and tracked by the head of department and a senior leader. 
  • Homework is set 3 times per project in booklets in years 8 and 9, and weekly for year 7 (Ukulele Practice).  Completion and submission are monitored on Class Charts.
  • Awards are given every half term in the form of certificates and badges for students who have made excellent progress. 

Key Stage 4:

  • 5 x 60-minute lessons per fortnight. 
  • Classes are mixed ability. 
  • The examination specification is AQA  and the course is worth 1 GCSE and externally assessed by exam (40%), performance (30%) and composition (30%). 
  • Work is completed in exercise books which are kept at home and brought to lessons. 
  • Internal assessments are three per term and the assessment is marked according to the GCSE mark scheme. 
  • Progress is monitored and tracked by the head of department and a senior leader.
  • Homework is set every fortnight via worksheets and completion and submission is monitored on Class Charts. GCSE Music students are also expected to undertake regular instrumental practice at home. 
  • Awards are given every half term in the form of certificates for students who have made excellent progress. 

Extended Curriculum

Clubs 

Monday lunchtime : year 7 singing group. 

Tuesday 2.40 - 3.30 : Whole school singing group. 

Wednesday 2.40-3.30 : Year 7 ukulele group. 

 

Extra Support 

The Music department has a dedicated suite of practice rooms which are available for student use, with prior arrangement, for instrumental practice. 

Peripatetic Music lessons are offered to students in years 8-11 which take place during school hours. 

Lessons are currently offered for: 

  • Voice 
  • Piano 
  • Guitar 
  • Violin 
  • Drums  

Experiences 

There is an annual trip for GCSE students to watch the Halle Orchestra at the Bridgwater Hall. This typically runs during the spring term 

Additional trips run where available, e.g. touring musicals which are supportive of the GCSE syllabus. 

Students are given opportunities to perform outside school for community groups and at event such as the Rochdale Schools Singing Showcase and Rochdale Music festival. 

 

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