Key Stage 3

Students are given a broad range of experiences, developing their appreciation of music, and their understanding of how music works. Students develop their knowledge of melody, harmony and rhythm, through engaging practical lessons, which make use of old and new technologies. These include use of Apple iMacs and iPads with Garageband and MIDI keyboards, guitars and basses, as well as the most important instrument of all, the students' own voices.

We teach a variety of different topics, which focus on:

• Developing instrumental ability
• Music Technology
• DJay Skills
• Music performance and/or recording
• Music and media
• Music from other cultures and genres
• Composing
• Listening and appraising

Through this, the aim is for students to develop their appreciation of music as a modern, progressive art form.

The National Curriculum states that “Pupils should build on their previous knowledge and skills through performing, composing and listening. They should develop their vocal and/or instrumental fluency, accuracy and expressiveness; and understand musical structures, styles, genres and traditions, identifying the expressive use of musical dimensions.”

At Sir John Hunt our aims are for students to:

 
• develop their performance and recording abilities, realising that confidence can be built, and that mistakes are part of the learning process;
• experience and partake in different ways of making music; old and new technologies can work together;
• appreciate from experimenting, that music is a huge part of modern multi-media;
• listen and appraise the big and the small, and hopefully see that all music has consistent threads running through it;
• self-assess their performances and recordings, either individually or as a group, compared to previous ones, and demonstrate a willingness to evolve and improve as musicians;
• feel happy to take part in the many extra-curricular activities, which are typically offered at Sir John Hunt, which in turn forge excellent links with the wide community, the city and the country.

Assessment

 
Assessment in music aims to capture the progress students are making at three points throughout the academic year. This enables teachers to know which concepts, knowledge and skills to re-teach which were not grasped the first time. Teachers can identify gaps in students’ learning and, through effective feedback, students can quickly develop further knowledge and understand more variety of concepts and how to perform skills.

Year 7

 
• Baseline assessment on entry.
• Final assessments at three points throughout the academic year on a 12-week cycle


Year 8

 
• Baseline assessment on entry.
• Final assessments at three points throughout the academic year on a 12-week cycle


Additional support

 
• Students in Year 7 and Year 8 can access the KS3 Learning Club to receive support with their homework.
• KS3 music club runs Friday 3-4pm, offering opportunities for music-making and performing