Music

Click here to view an illustration of our student's Music Learning Journey

Click here to view our Music Development Plan

Subject Intent

‘A high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity, and sense of achievement’

National Curriculum for Secondary Music.

At Jarrow School, we aim to provide a music curriculum that will enable each student to reach their full potential in music, encourage students to enjoy performing and composing, and allow them to perform in front of an audience both within and outside of school.

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, we aim to encourage all students to;

• Understand how music is created, produced, and communicated
• Perform, listen to, review, and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, styles, and traditions
• Create and compose music individually and as part of a group
• Learn a musical instrument in the classroom, through peripatetic lessons and extra-curricular activities
• Use music technology and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4 students in Year 10 study the BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Music Practice. This course aims to provide students with the relevant skills and knowledge that employers value, as well as the confidence to progress into a fulfilling, exciting career in a creative industry.

The BTEC Tech Award aims to

• Inspire and enthuse students to consider a career in the music industry
• Give students the opportunity to gain sector-specific applied knowledge and technical skills by developing their musical skills and techniques 
• Support progression to a more specialised level 3 vocational or academic music course or apprenticeship

Within the course, students in Year 10 study THREE components: 

Component 1 – Students will develop their understanding of different types of music products and the techniques used to create them. Students will explore how musical elements, technology and other resources are used in the creation, production, and performance of music. 

Component 2 – Students will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and classes where they will develop technical, personal and professional skills and specialise in two of the following areas: music performance, creating original music and music production. 

Component 3 – Students will be able to work to their strengths and interests and apply skills that they have learned throughout the course in a practical way. Students will focus on a particular area of the music sector that appeals to them and respond to a music brief as a composer, performer or producer.

 

Key Stage 3 Overview

Year 7

Autumn Term		Spring Term		Summer Term
Half Term 1	Half Term 2	Half Term 3	Half Term 4	Half Term 5	Half Term 6
Basic Musicianship part 1a Basic Musicianship part 1b	The History of Music - Medieval Christmas Music	Pentatonic Composition Instruments of the Orchestra and Bands	Instruments of the Orchestra and Bands continued The History of Music - Renaissance	Basic Musicianship Part 2	Programme Music Keyboard skills

 

Year 8

Autumn Term		Spring Term		Summer Term
Half Term 1	Half Term 2	Half Term 3	Half Term 4	Half Term 5	Half Term 6
Basic Musicianship Part 3 Musical Form – Binary and Ternary Form	The History of Music - Baroque Christmas Music	Music in the Media – Radio Advertising The History of Music – Classical	World Music Part 1 – The music of Africa and India	The History of Music - Romantic	World Music Part 2 – The music of China and Japan Keyboard Skills

 

Year 9

Autumn Term		Spring Term		Summer Term
Half Term 1	Half Term 2	Half Term 3	Half Term 4	Half Term 5	Half Term 6
Keyboard Skills Popular Music in the 20th Century – Blues and Jazz	Ensemble Performing – Takin’ it Easy Christmas Music	Film Music	Folk Music – Music of the British Isles	The History of Music - Modern	Musical Form Part 2 Keyboard/Ensemble performing

 

Key Stage 4 Overview

BTEC Tech Award Level 1/2 in Music Practice

Year 10

Autumn Term		Spring Term		Summer Term
Half Term 1	Half Term 2	Half Term 3	Half Term 4	Half Term 5	Half Term 6
Component 1 Exploring Music Products and Styles Learning Aim A Demonstrate an understanding of styles of music	Component 1 Exploring Music Products and Styles Learning Aim B  Apply understanding of the use of techniques to create music	Component 1 Exploring Music Products and Styles Responding to a brief	Component 1 Exploring Music Products and Styles Responding to a brief	Component 2 Music Skills Development Learning Aim A Demonstrate professional and commercial skills for the music industry	Component 2 Music Skills Development Learning Aim A continued Demonstrate professional and commercial skills for the music industry

 

Year 11

Autumn Term		Spring Term		Summer Term
Half Term 1	Half Term 2	Half Term 3	Half Term 4	Half Term 5	Half Term 6
Component 2 Music Skills Development Learning Aim A Demonstrate professional and commercial skills for the music industry Learning Aim B continued Apply development processes for music skills and techniques Responding to an exam brief	Component 2 Music Skills Development   Learning Aim A Demonstrate professional and commercial skills for the music industry Learning Aim B continued Apply development processes for music skills and techniques Responding to an exam brief (Deadline December)	Component 3 Responding to a Music Brief A – Students will understand how to respond to a music brief B - Students will select and apply musical skills in response to a music brief	Component 3 continued Responding to a Music Brief A – Students will understand how to respond to a music brief B - Students will select and apply musical skills in response to a music brief	Component 3  Responding to a Music Brief C – Present a final musical product in response to a music brief	Revision/Intervention

 

Additional Curriculum Information

The Music Department has an inclusive ethos and the department encourages all students to realise their potential and every effort is made to help students fully develop this.

The Music Department recognises that some children have a talent and to fully develop this they may require assistance over and above the normal provision. Schemes of Work are regularly adapted to ensure sufficient stretch for our most able students and support for our less able students.

The Music Department offers the following provision to all students:

• Opportunity to receive peripatetic music lessons. Additional peripatetic staff are employed and any student who displays an interest will be given this opportunity
• Opportunity to lead/demonstrate during lessons
• Development of independent study
• Development of ICT within the department (Sibelius/FL Studio for composition)
• More advanced performing work for instrumentalists in classroom music lessons
• Open house policy - students can use the practice rooms before and after school
• Regular performances both in school and in the local community
• Wide range of extra-curricular activities
• Regular entry into Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music practical examinations
• Regular entry into Rockschool examinations for guitarists, drummers, and vocalists
• Use of professional musicians to showcase music

Assessment – Impact

Key Stage 3 

Music assessment is ongoing to inform teachers with their planning, lesson activities, and differentiation. Summative assessment is completed every rotation to inform teachers of the improvements or skills that still need to be embedded. Music is monitored throughout all year groups using a variety of strategies such as work scrutiny, lesson observations, and pupil interviews.

Key Stage 4

Students complete three components throughout the course. Staff mark these and a sample of work is sent to the exam board for moderation. Assessment for Component 3 is externally assessed. An overall grade is calculated based on achievement in all three units. This is worked out using a point score.

Homework

Homework is set as and when required in music. This may take the form of a research task, listening to styles of music, or revision. At Key Stage 4 students are required to rehearse their chosen instrument regularly.

Beyond the curriculum

The Music Department works closely with peripatetic members of staff to help provide students with an enjoyable musical experience. Currently, there are 5 peripatetic members of staff working in the department:

P. Bell – Drum Kit
R. Johnson – Guitar
C. Freeman – Woodwind
A. Nyberg – Strings
R. Graham – Cello
J. Winter – Piano

A number of students participate in the lessons provided (approximately 55 students). These lessons operate on a rotating timetable to ensure students do not miss other timetabled lessons regularly.

The Music Department also offers students a wide range of extra-curricular activities. At present, the department offers students the opportunity to participate in Steel Band, String Orchestra, Singing Group, and a Music Technology Club.

Career paths are regularly discussed in music and professional musicians including past students have been used to encourage students to follow a career path within the industry.

Literacy & Subject Specific Vocabulary

Literacy is included in the music curriculum where applicable. Keywords are displayed in every lesson to familiarise students with music vocabulary. Information worksheets are used regularly to reinforce subject-specific words.

The Word of the week is visible to students in the classroom and used in lessons when applicable.