The Music team consists of:

• Miss J Pitman (Head of Music and Performing Arts)
• Mr Bell

Key Stage 3

At key stage 3, Year 7 and 8 students have one lesson of music per week.

By the end of Key Stage 3 should the students be able to:

• Understand and manipulate the Elements of Music
• Have developed their keyboard skills
• Perform on a variety of instruments and sing with confidence both individually and as part of a group
• Compose in a variety of styles
• Listen to a wide variety of music and identify the musical features
• Appraise their own work and the work of other students

We cover a wide and diverse range of topics including keyboard skills, singing, Medieval music, Programme music and Calypso music in year 7. In year 8 they study the Blues, Brit pop, film music, reggae and samba music.

Key Stage 4

At key stage 4 we study the Edexcel GCSE Music specification. The course contains three components:

• Performing - as a soloist and part of an ensemble (30%)
• Composing – students write two compositions (30%)
• Listening and Appraising – students study a variety of styles and genres of music which they are examined on (40%). This includes instrumental music, vocal music, music for stage and screen and fusions.

Students enjoy practically exploring the set works as well as working in their own performances and compositions in lesson time.

Key Stage 5

At key stage 5 we study the Edexcel A-level music specification. Similar to the GCSE, the course contains three components:

• Performing – an 8–12-minute recital (30%)
• Composing – students write one composition and complete a technical study (30%)
• Listening and Appraising – students study a variety of styles and genres of music which they are examined on (40%). This includes instrumental music, vocal music, film music, New Directions, popular music and jazz, and fusions.

Are there any enrichment opportunities?

We run multiple clubs before and after school that students can attend including, choir, senior band, brass group, string group and junior band. Please see the “Extra-Curricular Activities and Trips” section on our website for more details.

We have our annual School Musical and run frequent trips to the theatre and concerts.

We run support and study skills sessions for GCSE & A Level students, to help them to prepare for their examinations and to complete their NEA.

Students can also apply for instrumental and vocal lessons run by Berkshire Music Trust – please see the “Instrumental lessons” section on our website for more details.

Miss J Pitman – Head of Music and Performing Arts