Curriculum Intent

Studying music at Fullhurst aims to enable all students to develop an appreciation of a wide range of musical genres. We aim to give students a positive experience of music with a varied and practical approach to the study of the subject. Students are challenged to progress and develop their musical skills through performing, composing, listening, appraising and studying context. 

Year 7 – African music and drumming 

Their first introduction to studying music is through African drumming. Students will learn basic djembe drumming technique, going onto identifying elements of the music such as tempo, dynamics, rhythm, instruments, pitch and structure. Students will build on this to learn how to play a traditional west-African music called ‘Kuku’ both as a solo and part of a group. Students can then apply this understanding of the foundation of music to playing the keyboard. Students will have the opportunity to practice technique, use chords and eventually perform. The skills students gain in this topic will give them a vital foundation when learning about other genres and instruments. 

Year 8 - Reggae and Classical music

Students will continue to develop their keyboard and vocal skills along with developing Ukulele and percussion skills. This will be done through the genre of Reggae, learning the origins of the genre, key artists and musical features of the style. Students will take part in the practical application of a variety of triad chords/ scales in different key signatures and use of sharps/ flats where required. As well as a variety of rehearsal techniques and performance strategies, students will complete their own compositions. Students will also combine their knowledge of Reggae and classical music as part of musical fusion and learn who Johann Pachelbel is and the music of Pachelbel’s Canon in D major. Students will learn how to perform the ground bass ostinato and chords from Pachelbel’s Canon. 

Year 9 – Music Technology and the Blues 

Students will learn about music technology, what it is and why it is important. Technology in the music industry is becoming increasingly more important and students will build a set of computer skills within ‘band lab’ that they can use to create their own pop songs and production techniques. Students will learn how to compose and perform a blues song in small groups using a variety of instruments and compositional techniques including call and response, stop time, 12-bar blues' chord progression, solo improvisation, walking bass line melody and syncopation. 

Have a look at the video below for an overview of the KS3 Music Curriuclum. 

KS3 Music Curriculum Overview

KS4 Music 

In years 10 and 11, students can study The Music Practice BTEC Level 2 Tech Award. This gives students the opportunity to gain real-life practical skills that are required to work and perform in the music industry and prepare students to study music at higher education. 

The qualification enables learners to develop their skills, such as using musical elements, music creation, performance and music production, using realistic vocational contexts, and their personal skills, such as self-development, responding to a brief, planning and time management. 

Year 10 

Component 1: Exploring music products and styles (30% of the final grade) 
Students explore a range of music styles through time and identify iconic composers, bands and producers that have influenced the style. They will also learn how technology has impacted the style and how musical elements, stylistic features and characteristics are used to perform and compose each style. Students will present a portfolio and produce a variety of musical products such as a live performance recording as part of their coursework for this component. Students will learn about: 

• Delta blues 

• Rock ‘n’ roll 

• Heavy metal 

• Pop punk 

• Music for media 

Year 10/11 

Component 2: Music skills development (30% of the final grade) 

Students will have the opportunity to develop two musical disciplines (performance and composition) by engaging in practical tasks and documenting their progress and planning for further improvement. Students will audit their pre-existing musical skills and set targets for improvement on their chosen instruments and using a digital audio workstation (DAW) via Band Lab. Over a period of time, students will work towards achieving musical outcomes that they identified and improving their performance and composition skills overall. This will help them to develop professional and commercial skills required to work in the music industry and to apply development processes to improve their music skills and techniques. 

Year 11 

Component 3: Responding to a music brief (40% of the course) 

Learners will engage in planning a live music event in response to a brief. They will explore a variety of ideas that could be used in a live music event, develop musical skills and refine music material to present an original creation. Learners will gain experience of performing at a live music event and reflect on the creative process overall. 

Features explored: 

• Performing stylistically accurate cover versions. 

• Creating original music using existing stylistic frameworks and traits. 

• Stylistic use of a DAW and associated hardware to create an original piece of music from a given starting point. 

Extra-Curricular: 

• Take part in workshops 

• Music clubs after school  

• External visits