Music
Subject Overview
Music is a universal language that fosters creativity and communication. At Langdon Academy, our music curriculum inspires a love of music, nurtures individual talents, and builds confidence and creativity. Students engage in performing, composing, and listening while exploring diverse musical styles and historical contexts. The curriculum is carefully designed to develop skills progressively, offering authentic, practical experiences. We believe every student has musical potential and provide opportunities both in and beyond the classroom to help them discover and grow their musical interests.
Curriculum Intent
Our KS3 curriculum builds on students’ previous knowledge and skills from KS2 through performing, composing and listening. It is designed with the Model Music Curriculum in mind and is in line with the aims and objectives as set out in the National Curriculum for Music. Through their weekly lessons, students develop their vocal and instrumental fluency, accuracy and expressiveness, and understand musical structures, styles, genres and traditions, identifying the expressive use of musical dimensions. They listen with increasing discrimination and awareness to inform their practice as musicians. They use technologies appropriately and appreciate and understand a wide range of musical contexts and styles.
Our KS4 curriculum supports students in forming personal and meaningful relationships with music through the development of musical knowledge, understanding and skills including performing, composing and appraising. They are encouraged to engage critically and creatively with a wide range of music and musical contexts, develop an understanding of the place of music in different cultures and contexts and reflect on how music is used in the expression of personal and collective identities.
Curriculum Implementation
In KS3 Music lessons, practical based learning is the foundation of our pedagogy. This is delivered through use of classroom instruments (e.g. Keyboards, Percussion Instruments and Guitars), music technology (e.g. Logic Pro, Charanga Yu Studio), and singing activities. In KS4 Music, students receive 5 hours of lessons every two weeks that cover the topics for the appraising exam and composition, with performance being studied with our specialist peripatetic instrument teachers. Interventions are also put in place to support students in completing their composition coursework.
Curriculum Impact
Students make strong progress in performing, composing, listening and appraising, evidenced by regular assessments, performances and coursework. Student outcomes are strong with students demonstrating excellent understanding of musical theory, stylistic awareness, and creative composition. Students gain instrumental and vocal proficiency and many continue musical learning beyond school. Students build confidence, resilience, and teamwork through collaborative music-making. Engagement in music boosts personal wellbeing and emotional expression, contributing positively to behaviour and attitudes across school. Students develop cultural capital through exposure to diverse genres, traditions, and composers from across the world and throughout history.
Curriculum Map
Enrichment Opportunities
At Langdon Academy, we strongly believe in developing the skills and talents of our young people to ensure excellence in every aspect of their school life. At KS3, students can sign up for instrumental lessons. These are the instruments on offer:
Violin, Viola, Cello, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Voice, Drum Kit, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Tabla and Dhol.
Enrichment clubs which we offer include:
- Choir
- Orchestra
- Bands
- String Group
- Dhol Club
Performance opportunities are arranged across the year, e.g. Winter Concert, Achievement Assemblies, Academy Awards, KS4 progression evening, trips, etc. Students also have access to practice rooms at break time and lunch time, where they can practice their instrument individually or as an ensemble.
Supporting Students
In Secondary lessons, we support SEND, EAL and more able learners through differentiation, targeted support, and extension and classroom leadership opportunities. All music classrooms are equipped with visual resources to support learning.
How Parents/Carers Can Support Their Child
Our Curriculum has three main areas of focus: Performing, composing and appraising (listening).
Parents can encourage regular practice of instruments (recommend at least 20 minutes every other day). There is the possibility to loan the instrument(s) your child is learning in their instrumental lessons, depending what instrument they are learning.
To enhance appraising skills parents can expose their children to a variety of musical genres either in person at concerts or through the radio/streaming services. Students will receive regular homework on Focus on Sound, which parents can support their children in completing.
To help composing specifically, parents can encourage their children to use websites like BandLab and Chrome Music Lab outside of school time.
Useful websites:
- Focus on Sound
- Newham Music
- Teaching Gadget
- BBC Ten Pieces
- BBC Bitesize
- Teoria
- Classics for Kids
- Chrome Music Lab
Assessment and Feedback
KS3:
In KS3, there are four schemes of work across the year which include the two practical disciplines of Performance and Composition, as well as two Listening tests. Verbal feedback is given during regular lessons as well as in Assessment lessons, focusing on musical accuracy, creativity, and reflection.
There are two professional assessment points each year, comprising of 60% practical (either performance or composition) and 40% appraising.
GCSE:
At GCSE, students will study the Eduqas GCSE course, which is 30% performance, 30% composition, and 40% appraising. In Year 10 there are two professional assessment points, and in Year 11 there is one professional assessment point before the final GCSE exam. Students are also assessed in lessons through practice questions, low stakes tests and mini-mocks. Individualised feedback is regularly provided on exam style questions, mock exam papers, performance rehearsals and recording, and compositions.
Future Pathways
Studying music equips students with a wide range of transferable skills – creativity, discipline, teamwork, confidence, and communication – as well as technical and theoretical musical knowledge. These open up several academic, vocational, and industry-related pathways:
A Level Music/Music Technology, BTEC Level 3 in Music / Music Performance / Music Technology, Diplomas or Foundation Courses, BA/BMus in Music/Music Technology/Music Production
Studying music can lead to careers in:
Performer (solo, band, orchestral, session musician), Composer/songwriter or arranger, Music producer or sound engineer, DJ or electronic music artist, Music teacher (primary, secondary, peripatetic), Music therapist, Arts administrator or events manager, Radio, TV or film music roles (sound design, scoring, editing) -
Those not pursuing music professionally can join amateur ensembles, choirs, or community music groups; continue to play or write music as a hobby; or engage in music through volunteering, festivals, or online platforms.