Music
We consider every student to possess the skills to be a musician. Music is not an additional activity but a subject where pupils who wish to pursue it to the highest level can achieve that goal. Some of our students attend conservatoire junior departments and students go on to study music at university and conservatoires.
Keys Stage 3 (Years 7 - 9)
At Key Stage 3, students are exposed to a variety of musical styles. In each year a western classical style, a popular style and a world style are studied.
Year 7 students study: The Elements of Music; Pop Song Singing; Instruments of the Orchestra, Keyboard Skills,Baroque and World Music
Year 8 students study: Grade 1 music theory; Musical Theatre; Film Music; Blues; Improvisation; Classical Variations and Ukulele
Year 9 students study: Song writing; Film music; Cover Band; Minimalism and Electronic Dance Music
Students learn about these styles through both performance and compositional tasks using software such as Noteflight and CuBase. These tasks allow students to build up a strong theoretical understanding, including understanding notation, as well as a wide musical vocabulary with which to appraise the music. This curriculum prepares all students to go on and study music at GCSE and A level.
GCSE (Years 9 & 10)
Examination Board: AQA
The course allows students of a range of abilities and interests to broaden and develop their knowledge of music through performance, composition and appraising. There are four areas of study; the western classical tradition, popular music, world music and modern classical.
The music from The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, Santana’s Supernatural album and Haydn’s Clock Symphony is scrutinised more closely. More time is spent on composing and performance, often using music software such as Logic and Sibelius. Students are provided with the opportunity to establish their own musical identity.
Useful Links
Extra Curriculum
| Club | Day | Time |
| Barbershop | Mondays | Lunchtime |
| Musical Production | Monday | After School |
| Junior Chorus | Tuesdays | Lunchtime |
| Junior Orchestra | Wednesdays | Lunchtime |
| Senior Orchestra | Wednesdays | Lunchtime |
| Junior Choir | Thursdays | Lunchtime |
| Senior Chamber Choir | Thursdays | Lunchtime |
| Rock Band | Fridays | Lunchtime |
| Musical Production | Fridays | After School |
Students are provided with the opportunity for individual instrumental tuition on a wide variety of instruments. Further information available at reception or by emailing
"Next to the word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world" - MARTIN LUTHER
