Music
KS3 Music
Music classes at Waterhead Academy currently take place once a week on a class rotation basis. Students study a variety of different topics to develop their understanding of different genres of music, music from different cultures/eras and general music theory. Music classes at Waterhead seek to give all students diverse musical opportunities and to enhance their individual understanding of music.
KS4 Music
GCSE / BTEC
Pupils who take music as an option within years 10 and 11 have 3 lessons per week. We currently offer the Edexcel GCSE music course which offers pupils the full range of 9-1 grades. We have also introduced BTEC music this year.
The GCSE course is made up of 3 assessed components; performing, composing and appraising.
Performing: Pupils will undertake weekly instrumental lessons on an instrument of their choice to develop their music skills. This leads to pupils performing a solo and ensemble piece which will count towards 30% of their final GCSE grade.
Composing: Throughout the two-year course pupils will explore a number of different software programmes such as Sibelius, and Garage Band in order to write two pieces of music themselves. One of these compositions will be completed in year 10 and can be in any style, the second is composed to a set brief given by the exam board in the September of year 11. Both of these compositions count towards 30% of the final GCSE grade.
Appraising: The final 40% of the Edexcel GCSE course is made up from a listening and appraising exam sat at the end of year 11. Pupils will spend time exploring 8 set works, how to answer questions on music they have never heard as well as understanding how to dictate and read scores. All of these skills will enhance their musical knowledge and prepare pupils for the final GCSE exam.
A BTEC in Music is a great choice for students looking for a practical creative qualification. The course aims to provide students with the relevant skills and knowledge that employers value, as well as the confidence to progress into a fulfilling, exciting career in a creative industry The theory content is very different to the GCSE course. It is very much more “Hands On” and is based on more modern music. We will tailor this to suit each pupil’s individual need. Thie time allocated to this subjuct is the same as GCSE music and students will be expected to attend extra-curricular activities, in order for them to extend their grades.
YEAR 7
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Half Term 1
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Elements of Music Building blocks / Elements of music / Moods/Atmospheres |
Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 Composition based on Ostinato / Chop / Drone / vocal 2 Use of various percussion Instruments 3 Set targets for improvement |
October Half Term |
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Autumn Term |
Half Term 2
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Elements of Music Pupils will look at Building blocks / Elements of music / Moods/Atmospheres |
Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 Brief led composition – Haunted House/The Chase/ Celebration 2 Use of various percussion Instruments 3 Set targets for improvement |
Christmas |
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Half Term 3 |
Rhythm and pulse Work will be based around Keyboard and Percussion performances
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Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 Performance based assessment to a fixed brief 2 Use of various percussion Instruments 3 Set targets for improvement |
Feb Half Term |
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Spring Term |
Half Term 4 |
Rhythm and pulse Work will be based around Keyboard and Percussion performances |
Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 Performance based assessment to a fixed brief 2 Use of various percussion Instruments 3 Set targets for improvement |
Easter |
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Half Term 5 |
Vocal Textures In this unit, pupils will be introduced to vocal performance. Pupils will learn how to analyse and follow vocal music. Pupils will learn different singing techniques and how to sing correctly. Pupils will work as a small group to compose, perform, evaluate and improve their own piece which uses vocal textures. |
Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1. Pupils will work in small groups to sing and produce a vocal / instrumental composition 2. Pupils will be assessed on vocal techniques instrumental techniques |
Leading up to half term |
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Summer Term |
Half Term 6 |
Vocal Textures In this unit, pupils will be introduced to vocal performance. Pupils will learn how to analyse and follow vocal music. Pupils will learn different singing techniques and how to sing correctly. Pupils will work as a small group to compose, perform, evaluate and improve their own piece which uses vocal textures.
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Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1. Pupils will work in small groups to sing and produce a vocal / instrumental composition 2. Pupils will be assessed on vocal techniques instrumental techniques |
June /July
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YEAR 8
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Half Term 1
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Blues Music Pupils will learn about the influence of the Slave trade on blues music and to play and compose a blues piece |
Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 Blues - Powerpoint in pairs 2 Blues performance as a group of 5/6 3 Blues Compositoin in pairs |
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Autumn Term |
Half Term 2
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Blues Music Pupils will learn about the influence of the Slave trade on blues music and to play and compose a blues piece |
Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 Blues - Powerpoint in pairs 2 Blues performance as a group of 5/6 3 Blues Compositoin in pairs |
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Half Term 3 |
Piano time! Work will be based around Keyboard and Percussion performances and composition |
Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 Keyboard Melody Individual/Pairs 2 Keyboard Composition Individual / pairs 3 Ensemble Performance |
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Spring Term |
Half Term 4 |
Piano time! Work will be based around Keyboard and Percussion performances and composition |
Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 Keyboard Melody 2 Keyboard Composition 3 Ensemble Performance |
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Half Term 5 |
Variations In this unit, learners are introduced to the concept of variations. They will learn what variations are and complete a listening exercise which will generate a piece of critical writing. Pupils will move on to compose a set of variations based on the melody ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.’ They will perform, evaluate, improve and re-perform this set of variations. |
Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 – Performance – 2 – Composition - Ensemble |
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Summer Term |
Half Term 6 |
Variations In this unit, learners are introduced to the concept of variations. They will learn what variations are and complete a listening exercise which will generate a piece of critical writing. Pupils will move on to compose a set of variations based on the melody ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.’ They will perform, evaluate, improve and re-perform this set of variations. |
Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 – Performance – 2 – Composition - Ensemble |
YEAR 9
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Half Term 1
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Glee Band Bands usually start out not by publishing and performing their own work, but by performing the work of others. These usually are cover versions of songs. Pupils will learn about copyright law and its scope. They will listen to and evaluate some cover versions, comparing them to the original versions. They will be working as a band to create a cover version of a song, writing and updating a project diary as they work.
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Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 Brief led composition – Pop Song Based 2 Use of various percussion/Guitar/keyboard Instruments 3 Set targets for improvement |
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Autumn Term |
Half Term 2
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Glee Band Bands usually start out not by publishing and performing their own work, but by performing the work of others. These usually are cover versions of songs. Pupils will learn about copyright law and its scope. They will listen to and evaluate some cover versions, comparing them to the original versions. They will be working as a band to create a cover version of a song, writing and updating a project diary as they work.
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Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 Brief led composition – Pop Song Based 2 Use of various percussion/Guitar/keyboard Instruments 3 Set targets for improvement |
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Half Term 3 |
Sibelius and songwriting In this unit, Pupils will learn about song writing. They will listen to and evaluate different styles of song, identifying common features. They will then work as a small group to compose their own song, writing the music and lyrics. They will learn about copyright issues within the music industry. You will perform and record their song and then refine and improve it.
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Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 Brief led composition – Pop Song Based 2 Use of various percussion/Guitar/keyboard Instruments 3 Set targets for improvement |
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Spring Term |
Half Term 4 |
Sibelius and songwriting In this unit, Pupils will learn about song writing. They will listen to and evaluate different styles of song, identifying common features. They will then work as a small group to compose their own song, writing the music and lyrics. They will learn about copyright issues within the music industry. You will perform and record their song and then refine and improve it.
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Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 Brief led composition – Pop Song Based 2 Use of various percussion/Guitar/keyboard Instruments 3 Set targets for improvement
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Half Term 5 |
Polyrhythms to minimalism In this unit, pupils will learn about the history and context of Minimalist music. They will complete listening exercises on a number of pieces of minimalist music and look at how it links with modern dance and trance music. Pupils will perform a piece of minimalist music as a small group and as a class. Pupils will then move on to learn how to compose a piece of minimalist music, which they will perform either using the computers as pairs or traditional instruments working as a small group.
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Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 1 Brief led composition – Pop Song Based 2 Use of various percussion/Guitar/keyboard Instruments 3 Set targets for improvement
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Summer Term |
Half Term 6 |
Polyrhythms to minimalism In this unit, pupils will learn about the history and context of Minimalist music. They will complete listening exercises on a number of pieces of minimalist music and look at how it links with modern dance and trance music. Pupils will perform a piece of minimalist music as a small group and as a class. Pupils will then move on to learn how to compose a piece of minimalist music, which they will perform either using the computers as pairs or traditional instruments working as a small group. |
Peer / Self / Teacher Assessments on Performances of small group compositions based on:- 4 Brief led composition – Pop Song Based 5 Use of various percussion/Guitar/keyboard Instruments 6 Set targets for improvement
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Year 10
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Half Term 1
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2 compositions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme 2 Performances - assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme Listening papers/ Ed EXEL exam questions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme
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Autumn Term |
Half Term 2
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2 compositions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme 2 Performances - assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme Listening papers/ Ed EXEL exam questions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme
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Half Term 3 |
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2 compositions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme 2 Performances - assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme Listening papers/ Ed EXEL exam questions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme
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Spring Term |
Half Term 4 |
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Listening papers/ Ed EXEL exam questions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme
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Half Term 5 |
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Listening papers/ Ed EXEL exam questions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme
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Summer Term |
Half Term 6 |
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2 compositions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme 2 Performances - assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme Listening papers/ Ed EXEL exam questions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme
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Year 11
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Half Term 1
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2 compositions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme 2 Performances - assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme Listening papers/ Ed EXEL exam questions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme
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Autumn Term |
Half Term 2
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2 compositions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme 2 Performances - assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme Listening papers/ Ed EXEL exam questions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme
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Half Term 3 |
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2 compositions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme 2 Performances - assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme Listening papers/ Ed EXEL exam questions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme
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Spring Term |
Half Term 4 |
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Listening papers/ Ed EXEL exam questions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme
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Half Term 5 |
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Listening papers/ Ed EXEL exam questions – assessed weekly in line with Pupil Individual Education Plan in accordance with GCSE marking scheme
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Summer Term |
Half Term 6 |
N/A |
N/A |
