• That the department teaches the schemes of work set down in music to the highest of standards.
• That the department develops the Schemes to be increasingly linked to the needs of the pupils and our society.
• That all pupils exceed their own expectations in music
• That all pupils exceed their parents’ expectations in music.
• That the pupils not only learn to the maximum of their abilities but that they also extend their abilities to previously unmanaged levels. Students do not have a pre-ordained level of maximum achievement.
• That they learn to enjoy using music and tackle all applications with confidence and a sense of achievement.
• That they develop practical skills in the use of music and the ability to apply these skills to the solving of relevant and worthwhile problems.
• That they understand the capabilities and limitations of music and the implications and consequences of its use.
• That through their learning and experiences they improve their chances of gaining meaningful work and enjoyable leisure activities through their lives.
• That we provide pupils with enhanced adaptability to accept rapid change in technology which will certainly continue through their lives.

Key stage 3

This is based on the National Curriculum/ Framework for Music requirements. During KS3, students begin to compose, perform, listen and appraise. Each term they follow a new scheme of work and are given the opportunity to explore the topic, through looking at the history and culture of the music and through the four strands above. They are assessed every term according to the NC levels. For each new topic they are also given the opportunity to work in varying group sizes and either work with keyboards, computers, classroom instruments or their voices.

Key Stage 4

GCSE students follow the Edexcel syllabus for music. They are given 2 hours a week. One lesson is solely used to explore listening to and recognising features in music; extending their knowledge of the history and culture behind many of the musical forms they listen to today. The other lesson is used to develop their skills at composition and performance. Students practically apply their knowledge of different musical forms and explore writing their own interpretations using Sibelius4. They are assessed termly for their performance skills whether working in groups or individually and each have the chance to assess their own work.

Key stage 5

Music

Students follow the Edexcel syllabus for AS and A level music. At AS level students are assessed in the four skills of composition (split into to parts: composition and compositional techniques), Performance, Listening and Analysis. The emphasis is placed on developing the skills acquired through the GCSE level. They learn to understand the discipline needed in performance and learn to apply their knowledge of different musical styles to listening and analysing activities.

At A level students further develop each of their skills and can also opt to concentrate particularly on their composition or performance skills. On completion of this course students are expected to be confident and competent performers and be able to lead others in their musical development.

Music Technology

Students follow the Edexcel syllabus for AS Music Technology. Like the music A-level, students are assessed in four main areas: arranging, listening and analysing and sequencing. Through the use of the recording studio they are given the opportunity to use their listening and analysing skills to produce recordings of various music performances. They also use Sibelius as a tool for developing their own arrangement of a piece of music putting their listening and analysing skills to practice. On completion of the course students should be competent managers and will be able to use their enhanced listening skills to improve their own playing or help others.