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Music

At St Edward’s, our Music curriculum will equip our students with the skills to learn, create and collaborate with confidence and passion.

Curriculum Intent

In Music, we have built a curriculum that has a passion for nurturing talent at its heart. We want our students to, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to explore, engage with, and excel in the musical arts.  

We value and encourage students to invest in their music education, as our department is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where students can thrive.  

In each year at St Edward’s, students will be offered a diverse range of programs and initiatives designed to invest in each student's unique musical journey. Our curriculum is crafted to cater to varied interests and skill levels, ensuring that all students can find their place and passion within the world of music. 

Our excellent facilities, expert faculty, and vibrant community provide the perfect setting for learning, creativity, and collaboration. We offer numerous performance opportunities, masterclasses, workshops, and ensemble experiences, allowing students to grow both as individuals and as part of a collective. 

Accessibility is at the heart of our mission. We strive to remove barriers to music education by offering scholarships, financial aid, and resources to support students from all walks of life. We are privileged to be a Soundstorm partner school, meaning that we are able to offer extensive musical workshops, instrument lessons, ensemble opportunities and resources to students which enriches their musical education further. 

As Music teachers, we ensure that your musical potential is our priority. Together, we will create, inspire, and make a difference through the power of music.

Course Contact

Mrs Lauren Keene
Head of Performing Arts

Key Stage Three

At Key Stage 3, we pride ourselves on offering a diverse and comprehensive array of topics to enrich students' musical understanding and appreciation. From music theory to performance techniques, our curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity and inspire a lifelong passion for music. By exploring a variety of topics in Key Stage 3, we aim to foster creativity, critical thinking, and a deep-seated love for Music, regardless of previous experience, equipping students with a solid foundation for their musical journey ahead.  

Performing, listening, appraising and composing are explored throughout the KS3 curriculum. We also offer a wide range of extra-curricular options for students of all abilities so they can find something they can participate in, regardless of previous experience.  

Year 7 

In Year 7 students will explore the following subjects: 

  • The Voice and Singing Together 
  • Keyboard Skills 1 
  • Samba 
  • Carnival of the Animals 
  • Intro to Bandlab 
  • Ukuleles 

Year 8 

In Year 8 students will explore the following subjects: 

  • Singing 2 
  • Musical Theatre 
  • African Drumming 
  • The Blues 
  • Intro to Cubase 
  • Music for Media 

Year 9 

In Year 9 students will explore the following subjects: 

  • Genres and Elements 
  • Reggae 
  • Intro to Cubase 2 
  • Music for Media 2 
  • Battle of the Bands 

Studying music is a transformative journey that enriches the mind, body, and soul. Music education enhances cognitive abilities, improves discipline, and fosters creativity. It helps develop critical skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and emotional intelligence.

Key Stage Four

GCSE Music

GCSE Music is an exciting and enjoyable course about making, listening and forming personal and meaningful relationships with music through the development of musical knowledge. understanding and skills.  It covers performing, composing and listening to a wide variety of musical styles – popular music, world music and classical music.  There are also opportunities to use music technology.

Students will be encouraged to engage critically and creatively with a wide range of music, develop an understanding of the place of music in different cultures and contexts, and reflect on how music is used in the expression of personal and collective identities. There is also an expectation that students carry out wider listening in addition to their set works, to support them in building transferable appraisal skills.  

You will enjoy this course if you want to study a subject that: 

  • involves performing on your own and with others 

  • involves listening to and understanding a wide range of music 

  • involves composing or arranging music on your own and with others in e.g. rock group, bands or orchestra 

  • will broaden your knowledge of music theory

Method of Assessment

Exam Board: Eduqas

Assessment Structure: 60% non-exam assessment, 40% written assessment

  • Component 1: Performing - Two performances
  • Component 2: Composing - Two compositions
  • Component 3: Appraising - Written examination

Students wishing to study GCSE Music have an expectation of having achieved Grade 3 or working towards Grade 3 on their main instrument.

BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice

Do you love making music? Would you like to learn how to record and produce your own music? We are excited to offer the BTEC Tech Award which is a level 2 qualification (equivalent to one GCSE grade A* - C). This course is an exciting and highly creative course which focuses on developing skills in analysing music from different genres including Britpop, Blues, EDM (e.g. Trap), Grunge, Music for Media (e.g. Music in Gaming and Films), and Reggae to name but a few. You will study these genres of Music, discovering what makes them special and unique whilst developing your theory and vocabulary knowledge. It is a structured course including practical sessions where you will develop skills in performing as part of an ensemble on your chosen instrument. You will be provided will plenty of opportunities to develop your performance ability and confidence through extra-curricular activities and events like Battle of the Bands, Christmas Concerts and the annual school production.  

This BTEC in music will allow you to: 

  • Enhance your performing solo and group performing skills and deepen your skills on Music Technology (e.g Cubase) 

  • Understand how to build knowledge on manipulating musical material in creative and unique ways during performance and composing assignments. 

  • The opportunity to use amazing facilities within the department, including Cubase, Sibelius, MuseScore, BandLab and the use of the recording booth and control room to record, edit and produce your own music. 

  • Work with industry specialists on creative music projects and visit recording studios and other relevant music venues to gain an insight into the music business.

Method of Assessment

The qualification consists of 3 units, 100% coursework. 

  • Exploring Music Products and Styles- 30% 
  • Music Skills Development- 30% 
  • Responding to a Music Brief- 40% 

BTEC Music students are expected to already be able to play an instrument/ sing and to consider taking lessons for their instrument if they haven’t already. They should have a willingness to learn Music Theory, though prior knowledge is always useful.

Key Stage Five

BTEC Level 3 Music

This course is ideal if you love performing and composing music in a wide variety of styles.  It also includes a unit on the music industry with a focus on live event planning. A BTEC qualification gives you a wealth of musical experience and transferable skills, preparing you to continue to undergraduate study or the workplace. The music industry makes a vast contribution to the UK economy and continues to grow, this course will prepare you for a career in this exciting and thriving industry.

Learn more

Future Pathways

GCSE Music develops a wide range of vital skills including confidence to perform in front of others, the ability to work effectively in a team, analysis skills, essay writing, target setting and creativity. The skills are essential for further study or any career you choose to pursue after Key Stage 4. GCSE music is highly regarded by universities and leads on perfectly to A Level Music as well as BTEC Level 3 Music. 

Previous alumni include students who have gone on to study Music at prestigious Music Conservatoires such as the Royal Academy of Music, Trinity Laban, Leeds College of Music. 

GCSE Music is an excellent asset to musicians hoping to achieve their Grade 5 theory, advance on their instrument or improve their ensemble, orchestra and/or choir skills.

Student Destinations

Trinity College - Music

Leeds College of Music - Music

Chichester University - Music

Guildford School of Acting - Musical Theatre

Arts Educational - Musical Theatre

Bird College - Musical Theatre

London School of Musical Theatre - Musical Theatre

Rose Bruford - Performing Arts

London Metropolitan University - Performing Arts

Student Testimonials

"The Music Department is my favourite part of school because it makes me feel confident and alive. When I play or sing, it's like all my worries disappear, and I can be myself."

KS3 Music student

"I feel most confident and happy in Music. When I'm playing or singing, I forget all my insecurities and just enjoy the moment. I have so many friends in the Music Department and love how many opportunities there are for us"

KS4 Music student 

"Music at school has given me more than just confidence; it's taught me discipline, teamwork, and creativity. Every lesson feels like a new opportunity to grow and express myself. I’ve learnt so many skills that I might not have learnt if I hadn’t had studied music.”

KS5 Music student