The music department at Burton Borough School focuses on 3 areas of learning:

• Performance
• Composition
• Listening and Appraising

The intent of our music curriculum is to teach our students that music is a subject for everyone, and all students can make progress from their individual starting points.  Through our engaging schemes of learning we aim to provide all students with the skills and knowledge enabling them to study and explore music beyond the classroom.  We strive to produce independent and resilient musicians and learners.  Throughout their musical journey students will learn to develop their skills in teamwork and cooperation, they will learn to trust in their own abilities and grow with confidence by having opportunities to perform in front of audiences within our community.

The music curriculum has been designed with evidence-based research from the Ofsted Music Review and Model Music curriculum 2021:

• Performance – Students are taught to play keyboard, ukulele and sing.  These are developed throughout KS3 through practical activities that will develop technique and accuracy.
• Composition – Composition is taught throughout KS3 in a range of units.  Students can compose using staff notation and using Garage Band.  Students are taught how to construct melodies and then techniques to develop these melodies further.  They are taught to compose in different styles from classical through to song writing.
• Listening and Appraising – Students can listen and discuss a range of different pieces.  They will learn the importance of using musical elements when discussing the music and how to identify these elements and the roles they play.

Our curriculum is also underpinned by our whole school values:

Ambitious – Our curriculum is sequenced to allow all students to experience a range of instruments and to develop their skills on each instrument throughout KS3.  Students will have the opportunity to put these skills into practice with a wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer and through 1:1 instrumental lessons.  Students will be taught to read music using a range of notation which will then enable them to extend their musical enjoyment beyond the classroom.

Proud – Our aim is that all students who participate in music at Burton Borough are proud of their achievement and are proud to represent Burton Borough School within the community, students who participate on a regular basis in music wear their music ties with pride.  Within the classroom, all students are encouraged to show their work and to be proud of their achievements with support from their peers.

Caring – Students learn the importance of being a good audience, how important it is to support all students in the classroom when performing.  They understand that by showing this respect it will allow students to feel safe in this environment. Our extra-curricular activities encourage students from all ages to work together and mentor each other.  Students encourage each other to be the best they can.

Music lessons at BBS are engaging for students focussing on popular areas of music, such as Samba, Reggae, Vocal work, Song Writing, Video Gaming, film music, and pop music, whilst adding knowledge of music theory, instrumental and vocal skills alongside performing, composing and appraising skills.

By the end of year 7 students should:

• Have a firm understanding of the musical elements and be able to talk about them when listening to music…. The tempo of this music is fast…. The dynamics in this piece are loud.
• Have been given the opportunity to experience several different instruments and techniques, having a basic understanding of them all.
• Can perform in an ensemble and understand how they are contributing to the performance.
• To understand basic notation (Pitch and Rhythm) and create pieces of music using basic structure.
• To learn to appreciate different styles of music and their place in history.

By the end of year 8 students should develop instrumental skills further to include.

• keyboard skills to include change of hand position and moving left hand.
• ukulele skills further to include syncopated strumming patterns
• Sing fluently using harmony in several different styles.
• Develop ensemble skills further holding an independent part within a group.
• Further develop compositional skills to include improvisation and composition using music technology.
• Understand how chords are constructed and begin to use chords in different ways (Inverted).
• Notate both in treble and bass clef.
• Confidently explain how music represents a certain action or character with a firm understanding of the musical elements.
• Confidently use musical vocabulary when discussing music.

By the end of year 9 students should be able to.

• Perform musically as a soloist and in an ensemble using a range of performance techniques.
• Be able to independently rehearse and isolate parts for improvement with confidence.
• Develop keyboard skills further looking at different key signatures and keyboard functions.
• Compose chord sequences and harmonising melodies.
• Develop independence in composing individually.
• Further develop skills using music technology.
• Notate compositions relevant to the genre (TAB, chord symbols)
• Compare performances together and comment on them using a range of musical vocabulary

All students in KS3 will have had the opportunity to play a musical instrument, sing, create music using different resources and appreciate music in lots of different genres.  Students will have the opportunity through the performing Arts pathway to take part in several different extra-curricular activities and 1:1 music lessons. During practical sessions students will have explored the ideas of self-discipline, problem solving and time management and enter KS4 with an ability to work more independently. 

At Key Stage 3, homework is offered through a range of enrichment opportunities designed to broaden students’ experiences and support personal development. These include activities such as choir, band practice and drama club, enabling students to develop creativity, teamwork and confidence beyond the classroom. 

Students at KS3 will all have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument with our private peripatetic teachers (lessons are paid for by the parents).  Students can join several different groups, Choir, Concert Band (Brass, woodwind, percussion) and Junior Band.  Students can use our practice rooms during lunch and after school to rehearse Rock bands or solo work.  Students can also take part in our annual school musical.

The department will put on several concerts and performances each year e.g. Remembrance Concert, Christmas Concert, Newport’s Big Sing, Easter Showcase, Summer Concert plus many other community events e.g. Christmas light switch on, Newport Show, Christmas Carols around the town.

Music has several transferable skills such as creativity, communication, teamwork, leadership, resilience, listening and analysing skills and organisational skills.  These skills will help students in all aspects of life.  For students who are interested in a musical career will then go on to study GCSE Music.