Music is a universal language that is understood across the world by all cultures. It is a means of expression unlike any other – enriching people’s lives, promoting cultural awareness and requiring a combination of specialist skills. Music is memorable, enjoyable and often reminds you of an occasion or a place. Everyone interprets music differently and expresses themselves individually.

Music is memorable, enjoyable and often reminds you of an occasion or a place. Everyone interprets music differently and expresses themselves individually.

Teaching for every student
There are 4 key elements to the learning and teaching of music:

• Performance
• Composition
• Listening
• Appraisal

In year 7, the first task for any music student is to confirm their knowledge and application of musical notation. These skills are then transferrable to performance and later to composition in term 3. In year 8, students focus on the role of form and structure in music, in identifying trends and musical influence throughout history and in the development of one particular genre, musical theatre. In year 9, the role of blues and jazz, music for film / moving image and popular culture is explored.

At GCSE / A level, students take the knowledge they have acquired at key stage 3 much further, creating complex compositions and performing in a variety of styles to a high standard.

At all levels throughout the curriculum in Alice Smith School, students will continually use the following methods to further their musical education:

• Solo / ensemble performance
• Solo / ensemble composition
• Peer / self musical appraisal
• Aural testing, musical theory
• Musicianship and musical direction
• Extra curricular participation

Targets for every student
Around age 14, most students are able to:

• pick out the characteristics of different styles of music, and recognise how one type of music can influence another;
• use musical features (such as pitch, articulation and rhythm) confidently and expressively in their performances;
• use appropriate musical, terminology in the classroom to describe music
• make changes to their own performance to fit in better with a group performance;
• re-create, improvise and compose music in different styles;
• use suitable musical notation when planning or revising compositions;
• explore how venue, occasion and performance affect the way music is created, performed and heard;
• improve their own and others’ work by being self-critical / supportive

There are two specialist music teachers at Equine Park. In addition, there is a team of peripatetic staff that provide instrumental tuition each week for our students in the music block. Please contact us with any queries regarding the music department at Alice Smith School.

Performing Arts are considered to be an extremely value part of the curriculum. All students on entry in year 7 to Alice Smith School study music until the end of year 9. At Key Stage 3, there is one 65 minute lesson per week and all students are taught in mixed ability tutor groups.

The Key Stage 3 curriculum is sub-divided into 9 units:

Throughout each unit, students have the opportunity to perform, compose, listen and appraise a variety of musical genres. In addition, there are keyboard and vocal elements to each unit which progressively test the students. Assessment is monitored via the music department database where students are able to login and monitor their progress.

At Key Stage 4, we follow the AQA syllabus – the course is broken into four equal components:

This option at GCSE requires students to be able to fluently read music and be motivated and disciplined. The course builds on the content delivered at Key Stage 3. You will notice that 75% of the GCSE is coursework which gives students the freedom to stagger coursework through the two years of the course. There are 3 x 65 minute lessons per week for the subject at GCSE level. There is a practice room in the new music block designated to the GCSE musicians for composition, practice and musical research.

At AS / A level, we follow the Edexcel syllabus. The course requires a lot of creative ‘thinking time’ to complete compositions / coursework outside of the classroom. The course is broken into 3 sections:

This option at A level requires students to have studied music at GCSE level and requires motivation and discipline. Class sizes for music at A level are small, allowing more individual care and attention through the performing, listening and compositional process.For more information about the course at A level, please visit the Edexcel website for music by clicking here.

Instrumental tuition is provided for students at Equine Park to accommodate their expanding musical needs. Lessons occur throughout the school day on a rotational timetable and take place in the new music department. Additionally, there is opportunity to take instrumental tuition after school during activities.

If your child requires instrumental tuition, please can you visit the music downloads page where you can print off the instrumental tuition letter. When I have received this, we will aim to establish your lessons without delay.

There are many extra curricular opportunities in the music department at Alice Smith School catering for students of all ages, abilities and musical backgrounds. To sign up for any extra curricular activities, you need to visit the Alice Smith School Web Portal:

In February 2008, the new Performing Arts block was completed and has allowed us the space necessary for our expanding music programme at Alice Smith School:

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