Music Curriculum

Music is taught for 1 hour and 15 minutes per week from Year 7 through to Year 9. In KS4, students are given 5 lessons of music across a fortnight, adding up to 6.25 hours of music across the fortnight.

The current curriculum for Music at KS3 is informed by the Key Principals of the National Curriculum and the Model Music Curriculum (March 2021). Students are given the opportunity to perform, compose and appraise music throughout the course of their time in music.

Lessons are extremely practical, with students being given the opportunity to learn the piano and sing, with key knowledge of the Musical Elements and Theory spread throughout the course of KS3 music. Performance lessons involve students working independently or in pairs to build their confidence with instruments. In composition lessons, students learn to write their own music, focusing on musical elements and devices within a specific genre of music.

Students have the option to study music in KS4, following the Edexcel Pearson BTEC Tech Award in Music Performance. The Tech Award is split into 3 components, 2 of which are internally assessed, with 1 being externally assessed.

Co-Curricular Music

• Students can arrange to visit the Music Teacher to receive 1:1 support and tuition in piano, voice, violin or guitar to support their learning
• Students can attend choir during Enrichment on a Friday for 45 minutes per week
• Students can access additional time with instruments during Enrichment on a Friday for 45 minutes per week
• There is a KS3 Music Club once per fortnight on a Friday where students are able to explore with instruments – keyboards, guitars, drum kit, vocals
• We have a Music Development Network as part of the SNMAT Trust, in which all music teachers across the Trust work to collaborate regarding the music curriculum and teaching, to support students in their overall progress

Musical Experiences

• All students take part in Christmas and Easter visits to the local church where they take part in hymnals and carols at Christmas
• Students listen to and enjoy music at the beginning and ends of assembly to help support their attitude to learning
• The School Choir, supported by additional students take part in visits in the local area to perform for the public
• West Grantham Church of England Secondary Academy is linked with the Lincolnshire Music Service.

In the Future

• The music curriculum will continue to develop and adapt in response to student engagement, interest and ability
• We hope to increase uptake at KS4
• We are currently exploring more opportunities for shows and performances across KS3 and KS4
• We are developing an increased connection with musicians in the local area to provide students with more opportunities to network
• We will continue to develop additional music clubs at lunchtime
• We will develop overall staff awareness of music and its importance
• We will find more opportunities for pupils to develop their skills beyond The West Grantham Church of England Secondary Academy
• We are hoping to place a piano somewhere in a public space for students to openly play and enjoy music