Music and Music Technology Curriculum

Intent

Our Music and Music Technology curriculum is designed to excite, educate, and inspire all students through diverse musical experiences. Students engage with orchestral instruments, vocal and keyboard skills, and industry-standard technologies for remixing, recording, producing, and composing. The curriculum provides all learners, including the most disadvantaged, with the skills and cultural capital to succeed in life. Through listening, analysis, performance, and composition, students explore music’s societal and historical significance and develop empathy, communication, and collaboration skills.

A spiral approach ensures concepts such as MAD T SHIRTS (key musical features) are revisited and tier 3 language is embedded from Year 7 onward. Essential questions (e.g., “How can music define a generation?”) connect music to broader societal themes, fostering critical and imaginative thinking. Vocational links ensure relevance, with real-world briefs exposing students to opportunities in the creative industries. By offering both GCSE Music and Technical Awards at KS4, we provide pathways for all students to succeed, regardless of their prior experience or background.

Our music curriculum is designed to inspire creativity, foster self-expression, and nurture a lifelong appreciation of music.

Implementation

Our music curriculum is built on a foundation of practical, experiential learning that places performance, composition, and analysis at the heart of every lesson. Students engage in a wide variety of activities, from playing instruments and singing to using industry-standard music technology to record, produce, and compose. Learning is scaffolded through a spiral curriculum, revisiting core musical concepts and skills at increasing levels of complexity to ensure mastery and progression.

Lessons are carefully sequenced to link theoretical knowledge with practical application, and key musical features are continuously reinforced through creative tasks. Digital portfolios document students’ learning journeys, providing a comprehensive record of their progress and enabling self- reflection and meta-thinking. This evidence is collected via audio recordings, video and screen recordings and is shared with parents and stored using Seesaw. Resources and tasks are accessible through an online platform, supporting independent learning and collaboration both in and outside the classroom.

Our teaching team comprises highly skilled practitioners who foster positive, trusting relationships with students, creating a safe environment for creative risk-taking. High expectations are set in every lesson, and a variety of teaching strategies—individual work, group tasks, and whole-class ensembles—ensure high engagement and participation. Performance opportunities are embedded throughout the curriculum, allowing students to showcase their skills in class, at school events, and in the wider community. There are a wide variety if extra curricular activities that are tailored to meet the students needs and there are numerous performance opportunities during the school year both in school and further afield.

To connect learning with real-world contexts, tasks are framed around industry-relevant briefs, and students are introduced to a range of career pathways in the creative industries. Assessment is ongoing and varied, including verbal and written feedback, self-evaluation, and peer review.

This approach ensures that all students, regardless of ability or background, are supported to achieve their potential and develop a lifelong appreciation for music.

Impact

The Music and Music Technology curriculum consistently delivers exceptional outcomes, empowering students to excel academically and creatively. GCSE results consistently exceed the national average by 20%, and we maintain a high pass rate across all vocational courses. These achievements reflect the department’s high standards and inclusive approach, ensuring all students, regardless of background, can thrive.

Many students pursue further studies in music at college, university, and conservatoires, equipped with the skills and confidence nurtured through our curriculum. Extracurricular participation is thriving, with students gaining invaluable real-world experience through our student-led record label, community performances, and industry-linked projects.

Our award-winning department is nationally recognised by esteemed organisations such as Challenge Partners, The Princes Teaching Institute and Musical Futures, exemplifying innovation, inclusivity, and excellence. By incorporating student feedback and maintaining a dynamic approach, the curriculum evolves to meet the needs of all learners, fostering a lifelong passion for music and equipping students with the skills to succeed in an ever-changing world.

Autumn Term

Voice and Melody

What can I do with my voice?

What makes and effective melody?

Spring Term

Rhythm and Ensemble Work

What is rhythm?

What is a musical ensemble?

Summer Term

Hooks and Technology

What is a hook?

What is a podcast?

Click the button below to view the Year 7 Music Curriculum:

Autumn Term

Chords and Band Skills

What is harmony?

How can music define a generation?

Spring Term

Film Music and Music Technology

How can music tell a story?

How has the development of technology impacted on music?

Summer Term

Performance, Politics and Protest

How can music change the world?

What makes a good performance?

Click the button below to view the Year 8 Music Curriculum:

Autumn Term

10 week block

What makes a good performance?

Spring Term

10 week block

What makes a good performance?

Summer Term

10 week block

What makes a good performance?

Click the button below to view the Year 9 Music Curriculum:

Autumn Term

Basics of Music and Popular Music

Building blocks of music MADTSHIRTS

Area of Study 4 – Africa set work analysis and popular music

Spring Term

Ensembles

Area of Study 1 – history of orchestral music

Area of Study 2 – ensembles

Summer Term

Film Music and Composition

Area of Study 3 – Film Music

Component 2 – Composition

Click the button below to view the Year 10 Music Curriculum:

Year 11 Music Curriculum

Autumn Term

Bach Badinerie

Composition Briefs

Spring Term

Component 1 – Performing

Component 2 – Composing

Summer Term

Component 3 – Listening and Analysing

Click the button below to view the Year 11 Music Curriculum: