Music development plan summary

Overview

Detail	Information
Academic year that this summary covers	2024 2025
Date this summary was published	16^th September
Date this summary will be reviewed	September 2025
Name of the school music lead	Danny Stewart
Name of school leadership team member with responsibility for music (if different)	Rob Talbot
Name of local music hub	Accent Music Hub

This is a summary of how our school delivers music education to all our pupils across three areas – curriculum music, co-curricular provision and musical experiences – and what changes we are planning in future years. This information is to help pupils and parents or carers understand what our school offers and who we work with to support our pupils’ music education.

Part A: Curriculum music

This is about what we teach in lesson time, how much time is spent teaching music and any music qualifications or awards that pupils can achieve.

Music curriculum, including use of music technology –

At KS3 Pupils will have 2 one hour lessons in a 2-week cycle equating to 1 hour lesson per week. The curriculum is informed by the modal music curriculum and within it pupils are taught music through singing, performing, composing and listening & appraising music from a wide range of styles and history.

Progress: is measured through termly assessment using the ISM framework for music assessment.

Year 7 Following a baseline test, Pupils are taught the basics of music notation, basic keyboard skills, The Orchestra, Samba and Jazz.

Year 8 Pupils learn about The Blues, Video game music, Cover versions, Chords in Music through Daft Punk, The Music of West Africa and Club Dance Music.

Year 9 Pupils learn to work in a band, develop their keyboard skills further, Rock & Roll, Film Music, Reggae and Classical Music.

At KS4 Music is optional. Btec Tech Award Level 1/2 in Music Practice is delivered through 5 hour lessons per fortnight. In Year 10 Component 1: Exploring musical styles; In Year 11 Component 2: Developing music skills and Component 3: Responding to a commercial music brief.

Pupils can study Associated Board Music exams in negotiation between parents/guardians and tutors.

Staff liaise with CSI to provide adaptations to pupils exam arrangements and classroom arrangements where appropriate. Staff liaise with CSI to provide adaptations to pupils exam arrangements and classroom arrangements where appropriate. For example:

Measures are put in place to help wheelchair users access midi keyboards to use DAWs.
Tables are raised to enable wheelchair users access tables in the music dept.
Blue pens are used almost exclusively to help pupils with dyslexic tendencies
PP budget is utilised to provide access to peripatetic music tuition.

Part B: Extra-curricular music

This is about opportunities for pupils to sing and play music, outside of lesson time, including choirs, ensembles and bands, and how pupils can make progress in music beyond the core curriculum.

Peripatetic Music Provision

Pupils can study with the following tutors a wide variety of instruments at school: The School office or the Music admin Laura Rawlinson can be contacted for application forms to be sent out.

Vinny Pearson - Drums
Heather Littlewood – Piano & Woodwind
Lyndzi Williams – Woodwind (Maternity cover)
Martin Lynch – Guitar & Bass
Craig Gamble – Guitar & Ukulele
Charlotte Molloy – Singing and Vocal group leader
Anna Baranek – Violin and Cello
Trevor Banks – Brass

Lessons are either:

Shared lessons (two pupils and tutor) are £55 for 12x20min lessons over a term
Individual lessons (one pupil and tutor) are £80 for 12x20min lessons over a term

Pupil Premium student engagement

PP pupils can access shared peri lessons at KS3 and KS4.

External Music links

Strong links with Accent Music Education Hub help provide resources such as instruments to school as needed.

Other music clubs (free to attend)

Band Night – Monday 3.20-4.20pm in G1
Taiko Drumming Group – Tuesday 3.20 -4.20pm in G1
Vocal group – Thursday 3.20 to 4.20pm in G1
Concert Band – Thursday 3.20 to 4.20pm in G2

Concert Band

Mr Taylor runs the concert band
Mr Stewart runs ‘Band night’ and Japanese Taiko group and assists with Vocal group.

Musical engagement with feeder primary schools

Outreach work takes place with feeder primaries when the school production is imminent.

Part C: Musical experiences

This is about all the other musical events and opportunities that we organise, such as singing in assembly, concerts and shows, and trips to professional concerts.

Performance opportunities

Winter – A Biannual production takes place directed by the Head of Faculty with a variety showcase taking place in the other year. Tickets are available and reduced for concessions
A summer showcase takes place in the summer term. Tickets are available and reduced for concessions.
Termly lunchtime performance opportunity in the music department.
Pupils provide musical pieces for awards evenings and transition days including taiko drumming group and other clubs and soloists.

In the future

This is about what the school is planning for subsequent years.

To grow the concert band
To incorporate even more singing through the curriculum and grow the vocal group.
To improve links with HE music establishments such as LIPA sixth form
To improve links across the schools within the Heath Family Trust.

Further information

https://www.accentmusichubinteractive.org.uk/site/contact-us/