CURRICULUM
Music
Intent
Music is a fundamental part of human experience—pervasive across all walks of life and central to every society and culture. It transcends barriers of language, background, and belief, making it a truly universal form of expression. At Maghull High School, the Music Department is committed to harnessing this unique power of music to inspire, educate, and empower all students.
Our aims are to:
- Foster a lifelong love and enjoyment of music in all its forms
- Encourage every student to reach their full potential through inclusive and inspiring musical experiences. Our curriculum is designed to be accessible to all learners, with adaptive teaching approaches that support all students to achieve their full potential.
- Develop students’ understanding of a wide range of musical styles and genres, within broader social, historical, and cultural contexts
- Nurture performance skills across a variety of instruments and styles
- Build a strong foundation of musical knowledge and subject-specific vocabulary
- Provide access to a broad, balanced, and inclusive curriculum where every student can succeed, regardless of ability, background, or identity
To realise these aims, our lessons are grounded in practical music-making. Students are actively engaged in sustained, hands-on learning that leads to high-quality musical outcomes. This practical work is supported by consistent use of key technical language, helping students form meaningful connections between their experiences and the vocabulary used to describe them.
Our passionate and knowledgeable staff lead by example, modelling tasks in lessons and demonstrating their own musical expertise. Their enthusiasm for the subject plays a crucial role in fostering a love of learning in our students.
Beyond the classroom, students are encouraged to explore and expand their skills through instrumental tuition in brass, woodwind, strings, guitar, bass, drums, and vocals—delivered by a team of highly qualified peripatetic teachers. We also offer a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities to support both vocal and instrumental development, allowing students to grow as confident, expressive, and skilled musicians.
Domains and Concepts
- Structure
- Melody
- Harmony
- Rhythm/Tempo/Metre
- Sonority/dynamics
- Texture
- Musical connection to time and place
Domains of Skill and Concepts
| Performance |
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| Composition |
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| Improvisation |
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| Critical Listening |
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| Musical expression and intention |
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Key Stage 3
Year 7
In year 7 students develop an understanding of the basic elements of music – they will explore these through solo, small group and whole class performances and compositions. Throughout the year they will have the opportunity to study the music of other cultures, most notably through African Drumming. Student will also develop instrumental skills, particularly on keyboard, and will be introduced to the conventions of standard western musical notation.
Year 8
In year 8 students build on skills developed in Year 7 but also put them into a wider musical context. They will continue their study of rhythm from African Drumming in Samba, where they will explore the music of Brazil. They will develop music technology and composition skills in Film Music, and be introduced to guitar, bass guitar and drums in the All About That Bass. Students will continue to use and develop standard notation, as well as being introduced to different styles of notation for specific instruments (tablature for guitar and bass guitar, for example)
Year 9
In year 9 students will continue to develop the musical strands they have followed through both year 7 and 8, as well as being introduced to topics and skills that will be covered in both GCSE and BTEC music. Students develop their compositional understanding in the Songwriting unit, further develop their keyboard and guitar skills in the Reggae and continue to explore different aspects of music technology in the Remix unit, taking sections of pre-existing material and turning them into something new.
Scheme of Work Overview
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Key Stage 4
BTEC Music
For this qualification, students study the following units:
Component 1: Exploring Music Products and Styles (Internally assessed)
Learners will explore the techniques used in the creation of different musical products and investigate the key features of different musical styles.
Component 2: Music Skills Development (Internally assessed)
Learners will have the opportunity to develop two musical disciplines through engagement in practical tasks, while documenting their progress and planning for further improvement.
Component 3: Responding to a Music Brief (Externally assessed)
Learners will be given the opportunity to develop and present music in response to a given music brief.
Students will study these components throughout the two years, being assessed in May of Year 10 (Component 1), December of Year 11 (Component 2) and May of Year 11 (Component 3).
GCSE Music
For this qualification, students cover the following 4 Areas of Study:
- Musical Forms and Devices
- Music for Ensemble
- Film Music
- Popular Music
Students also study 2 prepared extracts which the learners will cover in depth. These pieces are currently
- Badinerie from Orchestral Suite No.2 In B Minor (BMV 1067) by J.S. Bach
- Africa by Toto
Students will study these pieces in preparation for a written examination in the Summer of year 11. Students will also study additional pieces in these areas of study, giving them a broader understanding of the genres of music.
In addition to this pupils will also be expected to create two pieces of their own that link to the musical styles studied on the course. One of these compositions will be set to a brief released in the September of year 11. They will also work towards two performances on an instrument of their choice to be performed in year 11 – one will be an individual solo performance, and the other will be as part of a group.
Scheme of Work Overview
Year 10
Year 11 Performance
Year 11 Composition
Year 11 Theory
Year 11 BTEC