Music (GCSE Option)

Belong

In keeping with Altus Education Partnership’s vision, the Music curriculum creates an inclusive and cohesive educational experience that enriches lives and strengthens community. It advances education so that young people lead happy, fulfilling lives and make positive differences through artistic expression and cultural engagement. 

The curriculum is ambitious in scope, offering a broad range of musical genres and contexts. Knowledge is sequenced to build a secure understanding of the inter-related dimensions of music - pitch, rhythm, dynamics, timbre and structure - while developing technical competence on instruments and voice. Students progress from basic notation and ensemble skills in Key Stage 3 to advanced composition and analysis in Key Stage 4. Every learner is supported to achieve through adaptive teaching and inclusive provision. 

Resilience is fostered through practice and performance; Responsibility through collaboration and self-discipline; Empathy through appreciation of diverse musical cultures; and Respect through valuing each performer’s contribution. 

Thrive

Teaching is practical, theoretical and creative. Lessons balance performance, composition and listening to ensure students develop as well-rounded musicians and critical thinkers. Teachers explicitly connect musical concepts across topics so that learning is cumulative and deeply rooted in experience. 

The Music curriculum uses retrieval practice to reinforce knowledge of notation, key signatures and aural recognition. Schema-building through repertoire study helps students link genres, styles and historical contexts. Spaced repetition and deliberate practice develop technical fluency and creative confidence. Cognitive load theory guides lesson design, ensuring that performance and theory skills are introduced in manageable steps. 

Formative assessment and feedback support progress in composition and performance, while summative assessments evaluate cumulative knowledge and musical understanding. Staff collaboration and CPD ensure consistency and high expectations across key stages. 

Resilience is strengthened through public performance and creative risk-taking;Responsibility through ensemble leadership and commitment to practice; Empathyand Respect through listening to and celebrating the music of others. 

Achieve

Students leave Edgar Wood Academy as confident, curious and creative musicians. They demonstrate technical competence, aural awareness and the ability to analyse, perform and compose with independence and insight. 

Learners are able to apply their knowledge to new contexts, understanding how music reflects and shapes society. Regular review of curriculum design and delivery ensures continuous improvement and inclusivity. 

Through Music, students embody Resilience in practice and performance, Responsibility in collaboration and organisation, Empathy through shared creativity, and Respect in listening and response. This fulfils the Trust’s mission to advance education that enables young people to lead fulfilling lives and make positive contributions to society. 

GCSE Music

GCSE Music is split into three components: performance, composition, and appraisal (analysis). These components are vital in teaching you a variety of transferable skills. It develops self-confidence and communication skills as well as creativity, useful for all professional environments.

This creative subject will enable you to explore performance and composition with a focus on your own instrument and own choice of genre and style, whilst offering opportunities to explore theoretical knowledge and appreciation. It progresses from, and builds on, the musical experiences of KS3 and caters for a wide spectrum of abilities and requirements. It gives you the opportunity to make music both individually and in groups and to develop a life-long interest in music.

For more information on what will be studied and how it will be assessed in Music in years 10 and 11, please refer to our Year 9 GCSE Options Booklet.

Learning Journeys in Music