Music
n Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9), students build strong musical foundations while exploring music from across cultures, eras and genres. They begin in Year 7 by developing ensemble performance skills, reading rhythmic notation and understanding how rhythm, texture and harmony shape sound, performing blues, orchestral and world music with growing confidence. In Year 8, learning widens to rock, film music, gospel and electronic dance music, where students compose for film, experiment with canon writing and use digital software to produce original tracks. By Year 9, students engage with jazz improvisation, minimalism, hip-hop production and songwriting, analysing structure and harmony while composing increasingly sophisticated music. By the end of Key Stage 3, they perform confidently, compose creatively and describe music using accurate musical vocabulary.
In Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11), students deepen their understanding of performance, composition and musical analysis across diverse traditions. They study world music, film music, rock and pop, and classical forms such as the concerto, refining instrumental technique and compositional control. Students learn to analyse how melody, harmony, rhythm, texture and structure operate within set works, and they compose extended pieces demonstrating stylistic awareness. By the end of GCSE, students can perform with fluency, compose imaginatively and write detailed, evaluative responses using precise musical terminology.
In Key Stage 5 (Years 12–13), Music becomes a scholarly and highly independent discipline. Students analyse major works such as Haydn’s Symphony No. 104, Debussy’s Nuages and progressive rock repertoire, exploring harmony, form and stylistic context in depth. They compose substantial original works with clear structural planning and refined harmonic language, and perform to a technically accomplished standard. By the end of Year 13, students synthesise listening, analysis and creative practice into confident, extended written arguments. They leave as articulate musicians and critical thinkers, prepared for university study, the creative industries and lifelong musical engagement.
View the KS3 Music Curriculum Map
View the KS4 Music Curriculum Map
View the KS5 Music Curriculum Map
Please see below our Music development plan for 2025/26: