Subject: Music
Head of Subject: Miss J Buckle
Vision
Music is a powerful form of communication that can positively impact students' emotions, thoughts, and actions. At Hawkley Hall High School, the Music department emphasises the development of individual and communal musical skills to increase students' self-esteem and sense of group identity. Music learning fosters critical skills such as listening, aesthetic sensitivity, and creativity, while also promoting personal development, maturity, and a sense of achievement.
Intent
Hawkley Hall Music Department is dedicated to nurturing students' creativity and musical abilities by providing a supportive learning environment that encourages risk-taking and collaboration. Students are exposed to a diverse range of musical styles, cultures, and historical periods, and are encouraged to explore their own artistic interests through the use of their voices and a variety of instruments. With the help of experienced industry professionals and a comprehensive curriculum, students develop leadership, teamwork, and independent learning skills that prepare them for future studies or careers. The department also strives to create responsible citizens by providing a safe space for students to explore their identities and engage in respectful discussions about relevant issues while developing their expressive and cultural understanding.
Learning Journey
Curriculum Description
In Year 7 students are taught music with their mixed ability form. In Years 8 and 9 students are taught in mixed ability classes. Throughout Key Stage 3, students are taught music in 1 hour a week. Formative assessment such as live feedback, forms the foundation of assessment, with an end of unit summative assessment that will assess the key skills in listening and appraising, composition, and performance. The assessments will track and monitor the progress of students in each subject. Feedback is provided to students in terms of the skills they are working towards or have mastered. Targets for further improvement are then shared with students. Students also have the opportunity to peer and self-assess throughout the units.
At Key Stage 4, Music is a subject that is taught as a GCSE option; 3 hours per week in Year 10, and 2 hours per week in Year 11. Students are working towards one GCSE qualification. They follow the AQA GCSE Music 8271 specification. They will be awarded a grade 1-9 following the submission of performance and composition coursework, and completion of their GCSE examination in the summer of Year 11. Assessments to track progress are set regularly throughout each half term, with feedback relating to GCSE criteria used to highlight areas of strength and development throughout the course.
Throughout their time at Hawkley Hall, students are taught the following key skills that are underpinned by the three pillars of progress: Technical, Constructive and Expressive.
- Perform with technical control, expression, creativity, and interpretation
- Creatively compose and develop musical ideas with technical control and coherence
- Demonstrate and apply musical knowledge
- Use listening and appraising skills to make evaluative and critical judgements about music.
The topics students cover throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 are outlined in the table below:
| Year | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| 7 | Musical Elements | Pitch & Rhythm | Keyboard Skills | Instruments of the Orchestra and Programme Music | Instruments of the Orchestra and Programme Music | Reggae |
| 8 | The Blues | The Blues | Samba (Music from Brazil) | Chords and Harmony | Chords and Harmony | Film Music |
| 9 | Dance Music | Film Music | Riffs and Hooks | Riffs and Hooks | Music for Video Games | Theme and Variation |
| Year | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| 10 | Musical Elements and the Key Skills | Music for Ensemble | Composition: rhythm, melody and harmony.
Performance: Solo performance Listening and Appraising: Dynamics, rhythm, structure, melody, instrumentation, texture, tempo, harmony. |
Composition: texture, rhythm, melody and harmony, chord progressions.
Performance: Solo performance Listening and Appraising: Dynamics, rhythm, structure, melody, instrumentation, texture, tempo, harmony. |
Composition – Composing to a brief (mock).
Performance: Ensemble performance. Listening and Appraising: The classical periods. Traditional Music: Paul Simon Graceland. |
Composition – Free composition.
Performance: Ensemble performance. Listening and Appraising: The classical periods. Traditional Music: Paul Simon Graceland. |
| 11 | Composition: Free Composition
Performance: Solo Listening and Appraising: Mozart clarinet Concerto Movement 3. |
Composition: Free Composition
Performance: Solo and Ensemble. Listening and Appraising: Music for ensemble and film. |
Composition: Composition to a brief.
Performance: Ensemble. Listening and Appraising: The Classical Period. |
Composition: Composition to a brief.
Performance: Ensemble. Listening and Appraising: Traditional Music. |
Revision for component one (Listening and appraising exam). | Revision for component one (Listening and appraising exam). |
GCSE Exam Board Specifications
The specification code for GCSE Music is 8271. Click here to view the GCSE specification