Music

At Primary, we follow the Curriculum in Unity Schools Partenership (CUSP) curriculum in Music. 

CUSP Music has been purposefully built around the principles of evidence-led practice. This is to ensure that there is a focus on high-quality development of children as musicians. The curriculum is carefully designed to build pupils’ musical knowledge and develop their competency and confidence as musicians. Each block includes the study of significant musicians and musical works, with the intention of exposing pupils to a wide range of music that will inspire them and connect them to the world around them. Core areas of study include singing, listening and appraising, composing and improvising and instrumental performance. These are built cumulatively throughout the curriculum to ensure that all pupils develop their engagement with, and knowledge of, music over time. This includes a focus on learning to play a range of instruments confidently.

CUSP Music aims to build a strong and rich musical culture in schools, in which pupils can thrive. As with all CUSP subjects, CUSP Music has a strong emphasis on the language that pupils need to explore their own musicality. This is carefully and deliberately planned so that pupils revisit and embed this knowledge over time.  The strong focus on cognitive science provides the framework for pupils to deepen and broaden their knowledge of music and become confident, inspired musicians. 

Years 7, 8 and 9

Topics studied and content covered include:

Music intent.

The music department aims to support students through their creative development whilst helping to build skills which they can apply to all aspects of life. Students will gain a deeper understanding of music’s purpose in the world and explore different genres and cultures. They will discuss the historical, social and political contexts and have the opportunity to compose, perform and appraise different musical genres from across the world. Merchants’ Academy offers a broad musical curriculum and promotes the involvement in extra-curricular activities to further enrich students’ learning.

Music implementation.

Music at Key Stage 3 builds the foundations needed to continue music at GCSE and beyond. It provides a whistle stop tour of many musical styles and genres from Pop Music to Samba, Jazz to Minimalism and anything in between. Each term provides a new cultural and musical focus which aims to inspire students to continue exploring and engaging in music throughout their lives. Students will be assessed at the end of each topic via a performance which they have either learnt or composed. Alongside a fulfilling and engaging curriculum, the school offers extra-curricular opportunities such as the school choir, a school production and regular concerts! Merchants’ Academy has a partnership with Bristol Plays Music which facilitates instrumental lessons and external support to further enrich the students’ musicianship. A more detailed overview of the Key Stage 3 curriculum from year 7-9 can be found under ‘further information’ below.

Music impact.

Music at Merchants’ Academy will enthuse students and build their musical interests whilst supporting their development of skills such as confidence, self-awareness, problem solving and decoding, communication, coordination and teamwork which will impact their learning journeys. Students are encouraged to evaluate, appraise and critique both their own and others’ work which will help them when approaching tasks both in school and in later life.

In 2016 Merchants’ Academy Music department was honoured to receive the national award of ‘Music Teacher Award for Best Music Department.’ This was due to the outstanding progress and opportunities that our young people are given as part of this department.

music-currciulum-map-KS3-and-4.pdf

Years 10 & 11

Course Title: GCSE Music

Exam Board: Eduqas

Qualification: GCSE

About the course

Students will be working towards the GCSE Music Eduqas 1-9 qualification. They will build an in depth understanding across four areas of study and compose and perform music inspired by these areas of study.

How it is assessed

Component 1: Performing 30% of qualification, 72 marks

• Two pieces (one ensemble, one solo or ensemble)
• Total combined time of 4-6 minutes
• One performance must link to an area of study (chosen by the student)
• Non- exam assessment
• Internally assessed, externally moderated

Component 3: Composing 30% of qualification, 72 marks

• Two compositions (one a set brief from the exam board, one a brief written by the student)
• Total combined time of 3-6 minutes
• Non- exam assessment
• Internally assessed, externally moderated

Component 3: Appraising 40% of qualification, 96 marks

• A listening examination approx. 1hr 15mins at the end of year 11
• Eight questions, two from each area of study
• The questions are based on six unprepared and two prepared musical extracts
• Four areas of study:
  • Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices
  • Area of study 2: Music for Ensemble
  • Area of study 3: Film Music
  • Area of study 4: Popular Music

GCSE music intent.

From the Key Stage 3 curriculum, students have the foundation for the Eduqas GCSE music syllabus. The students will use their composing, listening and performing knowledge to work towards each GCSE component. The intent of the Eduqas syllabus is to build well-rounded musicians who have a broad understanding of different musical genres and cultures which can prepare them for further musical education. The syllabus also builds the transferrable skills learnt throughout Key Stage 3 to further prepare students for whatever they go on to do. The coherent structure of the course allows students to focus and engage with the content and skills intended to be taught across the two years.

GCSE music implementation.

Each of the three components will be taught over the two years with particular focus on components two and three. Students are expected to work on component one primarily outside of school and in instrumental/ vocal lessons. Through frequent public performances and in class feedback, students will know what to work on and build successful performances. Component two will be taught through small composing activities and guidance. Students will complete their own brief compositions by the end of year 10, which they will finalise alongside completing the set brief composition in year 11. Through in class listening activities and exam practice questions, students will become confident in completing the component three exam and have the knowledge and exam skills they need to excel.

GCSE music impact.

GCSE Music will inspire students and further facilitate their passion for music. They will know the expectations of further music education as well as having strong transferrable skills which they can apply to all future education and careers. A Level music would follow a similar structure to the GCSE course and support and inspire students to become confident and well-rounded musicians.

Further information:

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music-gcse/