The department consists of a purpose-built classroom, as well as seven music practice rooms. Extensive use is made of a wide range of instruments and equipment: electronic keyboards, tuned and untuned percussion, guitars, bass guitars and drum kits.  We also have a class set of laptops, on which we use a range of software and cloud-based resources to support pupils’ learning in a variety of contexts.

Alongside our curriculum provision, we also offer a number of enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities. Instrumental lessons are offered on the following instruments:

 

A large number of our students learn a musical instrument and we feel strongly that it is our duty as a school to support the musical journeys of these young people through offering appropriate ensemble and performance experiences.  We, therefore, run a large number of ensembles to cater for musicians of all ages, interests and abilities.  These include:

We understand the importance of offering a range of performance opportunities. These are designed to share and celebrate achievement but also to develop confidence through performing in both formal and informal settings.  Pupils perform regularly in assemblies and all students are invited to share their achievements in a relaxed and informal environment through our lunchtime showcase scheme. There are also a number of informal events in school throughout the year such as Strings in Spring, Battle of the Bands and other informal concerts.
 

Involvement in community concerts and events is an important part of our calendar. We take part in many performances outside school such as The Christmas Tree Festival at St. Paul’s; the Bedfordshire Battle of the Bands events; Bedford Breakthrough nights at Esquires Live Music Venue and collaborative school events such as Fiddle Fiesta and Wind Band Days. 
 

Use of professional venues within the community help to raise the profile of music and offer students real world experiences.  Our high profile summer concert at the University of Bedfordshire and our musical production at The Place Theatre are always very well received.
 

Students are offered a wide range of opportunities to work alongside professional musicians and organisations.  Not only does this provide inspiration and exciting and engaging activities to our young musicians, but it also offers a window into the professional world and raises the profile of careers in the arts.
 

For those students interested in pursuing a career in the arts, we run an Arts Award scheme as we feel that it offers our students not only a highly respected and universal qualification but also a range of opportunities to develop important life skills.  

Through our KS3 curriculum, we offer all students a broad and practical learning experience which develops musical skills, knowledge and understanding; catering for all interests and abilities.  Extensive use is made of a wide range of instruments and equipment to explore a number of different musical styles and genres through integrated performing, composing and listening activities.

The units of work in KS3 are as follows:

 

Focus for learning in each unit:

 

Performing

 

Composing

Listening