Music for Everyone
At our school, we believe that music should be accessible to every young person, regardless of background, prior experience or perceived ability. We are committed to ensuring that all students experience the joy, challenge and achievement that come from learning an instrument and performing as part of a musical ensemble.
Our curriculum is built around a simple belief: musical excellence should be available to everyone. Rather than reserving high-quality musical experiences for a small number of students, every student develops instrumental, vocal, listening and performance skills throughout Key Stage 3.
From Years 7 to 9, all students learn an instrument as part of their curriculum music lessons. Alongside this, every class functions as a Big Band, giving students regular opportunities to rehearse and perform together. Through this approach, students develop technical proficiency, ensemble skills, confidence, resilience and a shared sense of achievement.
Students receive two hours of music each week. One lesson focuses on the curriculum, developing students' musical knowledge, understanding and practical skills through performing, composing and listening activities. The second lesson is dedicated to Big Band, where students rehearse and perform together as part of a large ensemble. This unique model ensures that every student experiences regular, high-quality ensemble music-making as well as a broad and ambitious music curriculum.
Our spiral curriculum allows students to revisit and deepen their musical understanding over three years, steadily building their performance, listening and analytical skills. By the end of Year 9, students are performing with confidence and independence, drawing upon a rich range of musical knowledge and experiences.
The culmination of this journey is our annual Year 9 Gala Concert, where students come together to celebrate three years of musical learning. This performance is far more than a concert; it is a showcase of commitment, teamwork, creativity and musical growth.
We do not believe in searching for the "musical few". Instead, we believe that every student is capable of becoming a musician when given the opportunity, support and time to develop. This inclusive approach has helped create a thriving culture of music within the school, with almost 15% of our students choosing to continue their musical education at GCSE, a figure of which we are immensely proud.