Music
Intent
The Stanley High School Music Department believe that Music and the arts are an essential part of enriching students’ experiences and preparing them for a curious, creative and happy adulthood. Students at Stanley are offered a wide curriculum ‘diet’ and Music lessons are no exception. Students are exposed to all aspects of the musical world from rap composition to ensemble performances. Students are encouraged and given the skills to participate in all lessons regardless of their ability or experience.
Implementation
The curriculum in both key stages is designed to ensure that all key skills (performance, context, composition and interpretation) are covered in every unit and opportunities to revisit key skills in different ways are incorporated into students’ learning journeys across the 5 years.
The Music Learning Journey is currently undergoing changes based on staff and student voice but please find the most up-to-date journey at the bottom of this page.
The usual allocation of time per 50-period cycle is as follows:
- Year 7 – 2 lessons
- Year 8 – 2 lessons
- Year 9 – 2 lessons
- Year 10 – 5 lessons
- Year 11 – 5 lessons
During KS4, students follow the OCR exam specification. During the course they will undertake three components: an integrated portfolio where they compose, develop their own musical style, practice and perform; a practical ensemble performance; and a listening and appraising examination where they demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of musical elements, contexts and language. The OCR specification provides a good level challenge for students and allows them some level of freedom to explore their own musical styles. For our GCSE students, staff regularly liaise with other music departments across the trust.
The department is passionate about students developing their cultural capital to appreciate music in context. Materials to stretch and challenge students are utilised and students are encouraged to undertake private music tuition. In class support from teaching assistants is available for SEND students and where possible and revision materials are purchased for disadvantaged students.
Impact
Student progress is monitored through both formative and summative assessments. In Year 11, students will also complete formal mock examinations to ensure that they have had the experience of completing a full past paper in the Hall under exam conditions prior to their final examinations.
These formal assessments are used to track pupils progress through the curriculum. However, no single assessment is used in isolation and the regular formative assessment of classwork is also taken into consideration.
By the end of KS3, students will have had a wide range of musical experiences and been encouraged to reach out of their comfort zones and try something new. If students decide to continue their Musical journey in KS4 by selecting Music as an option subject then they will further develop their composition and performance skills. As 60% of the course is controlled assessment, students will also develop their time management and organisational skills as well as their independence and creativity. Ensemble performances also often build a huge amount of confidence in students. All of these skills are extremely transferrable and have real-world applications.
Suggested post-16 pathways and possible careers
Students can continue to study Music at A Level. Local courses are offered at: Runshaw College.
Alternatively, Music BTEC courses are offered at: Runshaw College and LMA.
Music students should also consider pursuing A Level or BTEC qualifications in ‘Performing Arts’ which will allow them to combine study of a range of specialities.
Music study can lead to careers in a variety of areas, including:
- Stage management
- Composition (from advert jingles to West End productions)
- Performance and live entertainment
- Artist management
- PR and Marketing
Additional information
At Stanley, we offer a variety of enrichment activities to encourage students to further develop their learning and love of music. Each year the music and drama department run at least one production and we are hoping to increase this number over the coming years. Students across the year groups are encouraged seek out a variety of roles within these productions, from sound and lighting engineers and script writers to actors and singers. In addition to these performances our most talented musicians are regularly invited to perform at school events – from MacMillan Coffee Morning to our annual Year 11 celebration evening. These opportunities not only give students the chance to perform in front of a large crowd but they also give us an opportunity to showcase to our students, families and wider community how talented our students truly are.
We also have regular music lessons offering private tutoring in singing, drums, guitar and piano.