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Meadowhead School

Meadowhead SchoolAcademy Trust

Music

Our Vision

 

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that Meadowhead students:

Experience a rich and vibrant curriculum area which allows learners to become creative, reflective and collaborative.  Music education is a partnership between classroom teachers, instrumental teachers, professional performers and wider organisations from the performing arts and voluntary sectors. At Meadowhead School, we offer music across all key stages as part of a thriving Faculty of Performing Arts. We recognise the important role that music plays in children’s academic, personal and social development and we provide an enriching and well-sequenced music curriculum.

Subject Summary

All students study music for 1 hour per week in Years 7 and 8 before undertaking an equal rotation of music and drama in year 9.

The music curriculum is modelled around the three assessed areas of music learning; composition, performance and appraisal. It includes a variety of music styles, instruments and genres.

The curriculum is designed to gradually build learners’ instrumental skills and understanding of the elements of music. We embed musical context and theory through the practical application of music in all lessons.

 

Please click the button link on the right to access the music development plan.

 

Key stage 3 (Y7-Y9) 

  Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Term 1

1. Rhythm and Pulse

2. Keyboard Skills

1.  West African Drumming

2. House Music

Film Music

Assessment

Performance Assessment

Listening Assessment

Composition Assessment

Term 2

1. Samba

2. Ukulele Skills

1. The Blues

2. Chords in Compositions

 

Band Skills
Assessment

Composition Assessment

Listening Assessment

Composition Assessment 

Listening Assessment

Performance Assessment

Term 3

1. Sea Shanties

2. Introduction to Music Technology

1. Video Game Music

2. Ground Bass

Minimalism

Assessment

Performance Assessment

Performance Assessment

 

 

 

Key Stage 4 (Y10-Y11)

  Year 10 Year 11
Term 1

GCSE (Eduqas): Area of Study 1 - Musical forms and devices, Area of Study 4 - Popular Music

Tech Award (Eduqas Level 1/2 Tech Award in Performing Arts (Music)): introduction to Performance and Composition. Begin Unit 2 (Creating)  

GCSE (Eduqas): Area of Study 1 - Musical forms and devices, Area of Study 4 - Popular Music (revision)

Tech Award (Eduqas): Unit 1 final performances and evaluation. Begin Unit 3 (Performing Arts in Practice)

Assessment N/A

Submit Tech Award (Eduqas) Unit 1

Term 2

GCSE (Eduqas): Area of Study 2 Music for Ensemble, Area of Study 3: Film Music

Tech Award (Eduqas): Unit 2 (Creating)

GCSE (Eduqas): Area of Study 2 Music for Ensemble, Area of Study 3: Film Music (revision)

Tech Award (Eduqas): Unit 3 (Performing Arts in Practice)

Assessment

GCSE: Mock Listening Exam, mini performance assessments

Tech Award (Eduqas): Submit Unit 2

GCSE: Final performances and compositions submitted in early May

Tech Award: Unit 3 submitted early May
Term 3

GCSE (Eduqas): Area of Study 2 Music for Ensemble, prep for GCSE listening exam.

Tech Award (Eduqas): Begin Unit 1 (Performing)

GCSE (Eduqas) - revision for listening exam

Assessment

GCSE: Mock Listening Exam, mini performance assessments

Tech Award: N/A

 

 

Key Stage 5 (12-13) A-Level Music Edexcel

The course is taught in vertical groupings. The course covers the Edexcel A-Level Music qualification.

  Year 12 Year 13
Term 1

Unit 3: Vocal music from 1650

Harmony & counterpoint skills

Unit 3: Popular music & Jazz/ Fusion music

Unit 2: Composition based on a brief

Assessment N/A N/A
Term 2

Unit 3: Instrumental music from 1650

Unit 2: Bach chorale harmony/ Free composition

Unit 3: New Directions

Unit 2: Composition based on a brief

Unit 1: Performing

Assessment Mock listening test in February

Revision listening and appraising.

Completion of composition based on a brief or free composition (NEA)- external assessment

Term 3

Unit 3: Music for Film

Unit 2: Free composition

Unit 1: Performing

Unit 3: Revision of listening and appraising units

Unit 2: Completion of assessed Bach chorale & final choice composition

Unit 1: Performing  

Assessment

Mock A-Level Written Paper: listening and appraising

Timed Bach chorale exercise

Mock recital (NEA)

Timed Bach chorale exercise

Completion of final choice composition (NEA)- external assessment

Recording of final recital (NEA)- external assessment

 

Useful websites

GCSE Music | Eduqas

Level 1/2 Vocational award in Performing Arts

Edexcel A level Music (2016) | Pearson qualifications

Extra-curricular / enrichment

  • Choir
  • String Group
  • Brass Group
  • Woodwind Group
  • School Production/performance opportunities throughout the year
  • KS4 and KS5 rehearsal and coursework support