Music Development

Key Stage 3 Provision:

All students in years 7, 8 & 9 receive one 60 minute lesson a week. These are delivered by performing Arts and music teachers and cover a wide range of practical music making activities.

For more detail on the curriculum see: https://sjchs.uk/

Our curriculum has been informed by the Model Music Curriculum for Key Stage 3 and focuses on the following key areas:

• Singing
• Listening
• Composing
• Performing / instrumental performance.

Through these activities the curriculum aims to steadily increase the development of our student’s musicianship and knowledge

Through each topic and across the key stage, students have the opportunity to play a variety of instruments. They develop their skills on keyboards, ukuleles, percussion and creating soundscapes. This is often through small group work as well as whole class ensemble performances.

Key Stage 4 Provision:

At Key Stage 4, students can opt to study for a BTEC in Performing Arts. This course  builds from the curriculum at key Stage 3, allowing students to choose between the skills of performing, composing & producing in all 3 specialisms of music, dance or drama.

• More information on the BTEC Performing Arts course can be found here:          https://sjchs.uk/performing-arts/

Graded Music Exams:

We have a strong history of extra-curricular instrumental lessons. All students are offered the opportunity to learn an instrument.

When they reach the expected level students may sit graded music exams. All students are offered a peripatetic music lesson as a part of their BTec Performing Arts course. In Key Stage 3 all peri lessons are subsidized with full payment being made for some PP/EAL students.

Accommodation:

Music lessons are taught in our dedicated music/performance space.

There are three music practice rooms that are also used during lesson times as well as for instrumental lessons, student practice and rehearsals.

Instrumental Lessons:

We offer extra Instrumental lessons in small groups. These continue to be popular with students & parents. We offer lessons on the following instruments:

• Guitar
• Keyboard
• Singing
• Drums and percussion

The lessons are timetabled in 30 minute sessions. They take place during the school day on a rota system so that students do not miss the same lesson.

There is a small charge of £100 a term (approx.£7  per lesson). The rest of the cost is subsidised by school.

Pupil Premium students’ lessons can be fully funded, as are students who have opted to study the BTEC in Performing Arts – music at key stage 4.

The lessons are provided by a mixture of freelance teachers.

Lunchtime Clubs & Activities:

During lunchtimes, the music staff offer a singing club, also students are encouraged to use the practice rooms to further develop their musical skills. We have an annual school production with rehearsals weekly at lunchtime and after school.

After School Clubs:

Members of the department run various clubs, such as singing and dancing. Our students perform at several events each year.

School bands / ensembles:

Students receiving instrumental lessons are encouraged to participate in school events. The groups rehearse weekly & perform at school events such as the Carol Concert, Christmas events  & school masses.

Practice & rehearsal rooms:

Students have access to the music classroom and three music practice rooms during lunchtimes (when staff are available) to practice & rehearse. We also have the dance studio.

Throughout the school year there are opportunities to perform at school events.

We have an annual, end of summer festival. Each year local bands have been invitied to come and perform with students listening and enjoying the spectacle. Students have also been able to get involved with performing at the festival alongside some musical members of staff.

There is an annual Carol Concert at the end of the autumn term where the school band perform, as well as singing group, solo singers, instrumentalist and small ensembles.

Each year we have a school production which as many students as possible are encouraged to take part in.

The school choir also perform at masses for certain events.

We are hoping to provide our students with more opportunities to see live music from various genre.

We would like to increase the extra curricular music lesson provision into woodwind and create a school band.

Singing for assemblies will be developed over the coming year, beginning with year 7 and then continuing each year.