Vision
Music, as a universal language, is a subject that is accessible and inclusive to all.We have a strong belief in positive praise and creating a happy, collaborating classroom where students can develop and progress comfortably. Through practical group work the students are encouraged to use and develop many transferable life skills including; communication, listening, social and leadership skills.They are also encouraged to develop problem-solving techniques as well as developing manual/physical dexterity and co-ordination.
The combination of a diverse, quality-focused curriculum, and a rich extra-curricular culture at Childwall SSA, arms students with a growth-based mindset. These students grow in confidence, creativity, reflectiveness and expressivity and benefit from social, emotional, and mental health benefits that comes from a genuine enjoyment and love for music.
Curriculum Intent
Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. It should be inclusive and accessible for everyone to be actively involved in their learning. Our curriculum lends itself to broadening student’s knowledge and cultural capital as well as increasing engagement through practical schemes.
In KS3 all pupils will:
- Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions (including; Indonesian, Brazillian, Celtic, African, Jamaican)
- Learn to play a variety of instruments, including their voices, and create and compose music on their own and with others.
- Use technology appropriately and to create, record and reflect on their progress.
- Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.
- Have the opportunity to grow in confidence, creativity, reflectiveness and expressivity and benefit from the social, emotional and mental health benefits that comes from a genuine enjoyment and love for Music.
In KS4 all pupils will:
- Perform, listen to, compose, review and evaluate music across a range of genres and ensemble styles
- Develop performance skills and experience on their chosen musical instrument
- Use technology appropriately to create, record and reflect on their progress
- Develop more advanced understanding on how music is created, produced and communicated within the Music Industry
Implementation
The curriculum is planned to include a music from a diverse range of genres, styles, and cultures; this lends itself to the broadening of students’ knowledge and cultural capital as well as increasing engagement through practical schemes delivered in well thought out learning sequences. Lessons are primarily practical, which encourages independent learning and social skills, as well as promoting creativity.
The curriculum model is designed from a top-down perspective with KS4 success and potential career paths at the forefront of planning and delivery. An emphasis on Quality-First Teaching as well as the diversity of theoretical, technical, and practical teaching techniques employed allows us to engage and inspire students with a range of learning styles and abilities.
The assessment process combines practical performances with reflection of learning and knowledge tests. This process requires objective analysis and honest reflection, encouraging students to engage in metacognitive evaluation processes. These skills and techniques have many cross-curricular benefits as well as helping students succeed in later learning and later life.
Classroom expectations are high and behaviour systems in place to encourage all pupils to have the best learning experience and opportunity to use facilities and equipment available to them.
The Music department encourages extra-curricular involvement and provides opportunities for further enrichment. Peripatetic Music lessons are offered on a wide variety of instruments.
Curriculum Overview
To see an overview of the curriculum and how parents can support their child's learning, please
click here.
Learning Journey
