Music

Music Curriculum Statement

Music at The Oaks Academy is an enriching and inclusive subject that enables students to develop their creativity, skill development and knowledge and understanding in a personalised and meaningful way. The Music curriculum has been designed to cover a wide range of musical styles covering classical music, popular music and world music. It integrates performing, composing, listening, key concepts, theoretical knowledge and music technology. Our Music curriculum is varied, relevant, flexible and appealing to students. In addition to this, we offer a range of enrichment opportunities for students throughout the year including instrumental tuition provided by Music for Life and a range of clubs, performance opportunities and workshops.

National Curriculum

The aims and objectives of our Music curriculum are consistent with the national curriculum for Music. Students at The Oaks Academy will:

Learn and develop performance skills on the keyboard, ukulele and voice
Perform (solo, ensemble and whole class) music in a range of musical styles covering classical music, popular music and world music
Create and record original pieces and songs in a range of musical styles covering classical music, popular music and world music
Use music technology to develop their creativity and record their own performances and compositions
Learn the key concepts and theoretical knowledge required to understand a range of musical styles and apply this to their performance and composition work

Exceeding Ambition

Influenced by ‘Musical Intelligence’ theory by
Howard Gardiner, we aim to offer a Music curriculum and enrichment opportunities that inspire students with strong musical abilities and interests. Students who have instrumental tuition provided by Music for Life will also have the opportunity to further develop their performance skills on an instrument of their choice.

Here's our Curriculum Road Map for Music:

Intent

To develop the musical creativity, skill development and knowledge and understanding of our students. Students learn and develop their keyboard, ukulele and vocal performance skills in a range of musical styles, develop their composition skills in a range of musical styles, use music technology to develop their creativity and record their own performances and learn the key concepts and theoretical knowledge. Through covering all aspects of musical development through a wide range of classical music, popular music and world music ensures the curriculum is varied and balanced. Students benefit from a varied programme of enrichment opportunities such as instrumental tuition provided by Music for Life, choir, ukulele band and opportunities for student-led solo and band rehearsals.

Implementation

Our students will:

Learn and develop performance skills on the keyboard, ukulele and voice leading to solo, ensemble and whole class performances that are accurate, fluent and expressive in a range of musical styles covering classical music, popular music and world music
Create and record original pieces and songs that include a range of melody and accompaniment parts in a range of musical styles covering classical music, popular music and world music
Use music technology to develop their creativity and record their own performances and compositions
Learn the key concepts and theoretical knowledge required to understand a range of musical styles and apply this to their performance and composition work

Impact

Students will complete listening activities, key concepts and theory work and their main practical QMS (Quality Marked Summative) assessment each half term will be based on either the development of performance skills or composition skills in relation to the project they have been studying. At KS3 Music is tracked through KPIs (key performance indicators). Students receive personal verbal QMF (Quality Marked Formative) feedback every lesson to ensure they can reflect on strengths and areas for development as they are working to make further progress during their DIRT (Directed Improvement and Reflection Time) as they work towards their QMS assessment Their QMS practical assessments will be used to inform their Evidence Based Grades (EBGs), which will determine whether students are meeting, exceeding or developing in relation to their Expected Outcome. Interventions will be put in place for any students working below their Expected Outcome.

Cultural Capital Opportunities linked to Personal and Character development

Students will learn the context, key concepts and theoretical knowledge of a range of musical styles. As the musical styles will cover classical music, popular music and world music they learn about a range of composers and performers from different periods of time, different musical styles and different places. There are many enrichment opportunities throughout the academic year such as instrumental tuition provided by Music for Life and a range of clubs, performance opportunities and workshops. These enable students to develop their confidence, independence, teamwork and communication skills.