Performing Arts - Music

“Music is a thing that changes people's lives. It has the capacity to make young people's lives better.” Noel Gallagher

Subject Overview
The Music Department at our school plays a vital role in both the academic curriculum and the wider development of our students. Through a rich and varied programme, pupils are encouraged to explore their creativity, build confidence, and develop a wide range of musical skills. Music is integrated across all key stages, offering opportunities for both practical performance and theoretical understanding. Beyond the classroom, the department supports extracurricular activities such as ensembles, choirs, and concerts, fostering teamwork, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. The department’s inclusive approach ensures that every student can experience the personal and educational benefits of music.

Curriculum Intent
At our school, the Music curriculum is designed to inspire a lifelong appreciation and enjoyment of music by providing all students with a rich, engaging, and inclusive experience. We aim to nurture creativity, build confidence, and support the development of musical skills through a broad range of practical, investigative, and collaborative activities.

Our intent is to:

• Create a positive and supportive environment where all students can thrive and their achievements are celebrated.
• Enable every student to reach their full musical potential through well-structured, differentiated tasks.
• Encourage independent thinking, creativity, and a sense of ownership over their learning.
• Promote teamwork and develop the social and communication skills essential for group work and performance.
• Ensure students are equipped with the vocabulary, understanding, and technical knowledge needed to engage with music meaningfully.

The Music Department is committed to delivering a curriculum aligned with the National Curriculum and external qualifications. Staff assess and track progress throughout each key stage and ensure students are well-prepared for further study and examination success.

Curriculum Implementation
The Music Curriculum has been designed to inspire and challenge students to “Become Elite” in the fields of composing, performing, listening and appraising. Our KS3 curriculum follows the key features of the National Plan for Music Education and is also informed by the Model Music Curriculum (March 2021) Students currently have a 100 minute lesson every 2 weeks in KS3 and 300 minutes in KS4. The Music Department Schemes Of Work are designed with Key Themes and Concepts in mind so that students can deepen their musical learning and abilities by developing specific skills. The Curriculum is scaffolded so that prior learning is built upon lesson by lesson and students are encouraged to broaden their skills by trying new instruments and listening to a broad range of musical styles and genres. Specific topics have been written as part of a spiral curriculum so that students can build upon knowledge and skills moving into KS4. 

Curriculum Impact
Explain how student progress is assessed and monitored. Highlight any notable achievements, examination results, or improvements in student outcomes.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7–8):

Key Stage 4 (Years 9 - 11):
At GCSE level, the Music Department follows the Pearson Edexcel syllabus. The course is structured with 60% coursework and 40% final examination.

The coursework component is divided into two key areas: Performance and Composition.

• For Performance, students are required to present two pieces: one solo and one ensemble performance, typically at Grade 4 standard or higher.
• In the Composition element, students must create two original pieces. One is a Free Composition, allowing complete freedom of style, genre, and instrumentation. The second is a Set Brief Composition, based on a prompt released by the exam board in the September of the examination year.

The Listening and Appraising Exam makes up the remaining 40% of the qualification. Students study four Areas of Study, each with two set works:

1. Instrumental Music (1700–1820)

   • J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, 3rd movement

   • Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, "Pathétique", 1st movement

2. Vocal Music

   • Henry Purcell: Music for a While

   • Queen: Killer Queen

3. Music for Stage and Screen

   • Stephen Schwartz: Defying Gravity (from Wicked)

   • John Williams: Main Title/Rebel Blockade Runner (from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope)

4. Fusions

   • Esperanza Spalding: Samba Em Prelúdio

   • Afro Celt Sound System: Release

This engaging and diverse course allows students to develop their skills in performance, composition, analysis, and critical listening, while exploring music from a wide range of genres and traditions.

Key Stage 5 (Years 12–13): (if applicable)
Detail A-Level or equivalent courses available, including curriculum content, assessment methods, and progression opportunities.

Enrichment Opportunities
The Forest School is proud to collaborate with the Rock Academy Foundation, offering students first-class ½ hour (one to one) instrumental lessons in:

• Voice 
• Drums
• Piano
• Keyboard
• Electric guitar
• Classical guitar
• Acoustic guitar
• Bass guitar 

This partnership provides our students with access to expert instruction from highly skilled musicians, fostering their growth in a wide range of musical styles and techniques. Through this collaboration, we ensure that students receive high-quality, individualised training, empowering them to develop their musical talents and achieve excellence in both performance and creativity. When appropriate, students are entered for Graded Music Exams (Practical or Theory) via the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) or Trinity Rock and Pop (Trinity College of Music). Through this partnership, The Rock Academy Foundation also offer Band Experiences where students learning at the Forest School can attend extra classes in band skills free of charge.

The Music Department offers music clubs during Break/ Lunch and after school and have been attended by different students across the school. Our activities are:

1. Y7 Choir
2. String Quartet/ Orchestra
3. Rock Project (Student led bands across KS3 and 4)
4. Keyboard Club
5. Grade 5 Music Theory
6. GCSE support in composition, revision and catchup sessions during and after school

The music department is also open regularly for students to further improve their practical work at KS3 and also for students to work on their solo and ensemble pieces ready for moderation at KS4.

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Resources and Facilities
The Music Department has a Keyboard suite with 16 Keyboards and an Electric Piano, a computer room with 15 Networked PC’s and a further Classroom and 4 Practice Rooms. The department has ukuleles, djembes, guitars, amplifiers, Samba equipment upright pianos and electric pianos.

Contact Information:
If you'd like to find out more please contact Mr A Light, Subject Leader, on alight@forest.academy