Music Curriculum Intent 

Music @ Westleigh inspires and enthuses students to realise that they have potential, whilst developing their social skills and providing them with unforgettable experiences and opportunities!


Implementation
Year 7 – We aim for the students to gain a basic understanding of playing music. Students will experience performing using their voice, playing the keyboard and ukulele.
Year 8 - In this year students try to take their music ability to a higher level. Students start the year learning about the origins and key features of Blues Music. During the Easter term they take their learning to developing their ability to play a range of hooks and riffs. The students finish the year by playing percussion during an energetic Samba unit.
The students will students will have a very clear assessment criteria that links very closely to the RSL criteria where appropriate.
Year 9 – During this year the students have three topics to finish off their three years in Music in style. The year starts with students learning and playing songs from the Hip Hop genre. The students really enjoy the hands practical nature of this topic. In the new year students get a taste of playing Samba music and the students finish their time off in music by learning how to play Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. 
Year 10/11 – Students now start work on three units set by RSL. One of which will be an externally assessed unit set in January in year 11, one will be an instrumental study unit, which will further develop the skills developed in year 9 and a final unit will allow students to research different style of music.
Students will now be expected with far more independence than in KS3.    The students level of musicianship should be increased through instrumental tuition. The students will now be able to play other instruments other than just keyboard.

 

Impact

KS3 Journey:
By the end of KS3 students will be able to perform a range of styles of music on a variety of different instruments. All students should be able to understand the importance of timing skills within a group scenario. The students understand the notes on the keyboards and how to play and understand chords. The students should be able to suggest improvements to their work and be able to highlight the success of their performances. All students should have a clear insight into how to improve as musicians and understand what grade they are currently working towards and why. Pupils will have cultural understanding and awareness of music from around the world.

KS4 Journey: The RSL qualification that the students study will allow learners to:

  • understand theoretical and contextual issues relating to music style, audience and the music industry;
  • Perform effectively on their instrument/voice;
  • rehearse and display musicianship skills;
  • initiate and develop repertoire; 
  • rehearse effectively and perform music live;
  • understand relevant aspects of music technology.

Through developing the skills, knowledge and understanding outlined above, learners are provided with the basis for further development with the ultimate aim being the creation of a musician with the knowledge and skills-set to be able to perform and record music in a professional capacity (i.e. be a recording and performing artist). The core unit together with the optional units selected have been carefully chosen to reflect these aims. 


Learning Journey 
Click to view our learning journey road map for Music


Long Term Plan
To  view our Long Term Plan for music

“Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them – a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music.”  – Gerald Ford

Examination Board
The examination board for this subject is RSL