Music

Music development plan summary:
Beechwood School
Overview

Part A: Curriculum music

Curriculum aims & pedagogy: The aim of The Music Department is to enable students to strive for academic excellence in theoretical and practical knowledge that enables them to develop the knowledge and skills of collaboration, confidence, communication, resilience and dedication towards music education. They will explore themes and topics through a variety of genres to develop their cultural capital. We strive to create a safe, happy, inspiring learning environment encouraging and enabling all students to develop an understanding of both themselves and the world they live in. Whilst not everyone will become a performer, we strive to develop key employability and transferable skills, signposting these to students to ensure their complete understanding. The Arts builds confidence and teaches students a huge range of transferable skills; thus, opening up many career opportunities. 

The department is led by Dawn Dadak, head of Performing Arts. Music is delivered by Alec Harris, a music specialist who is a highly qualified and experienced teacher. In Key Stage 3, students have two lessons of Music in a two-week timetable. Music is a growing subject at Beechwood, as such, we are hoping to offer GCSE Music to students 2025/2026.

KS3 Music Curriculum Plan

Year 7

Term 1

Elements of music through performance 

Key Skills and Concepts

• Understand and recognise the Elements of Music: PITCH, TEMPO, DYNAMICS, DURATION, TEXTURE, TIMBRE, RHYTHM, BEAT / PULSE.
• Draw on the Elements of Music as a resource when composing, creating and improvising 
• Use the Elements of Music effectively when performing and singing. 
• Recognise the Elements of Music when listening to and appraising music from different times and different places.

Assessment:

• Do now retrieval tasks
• Teacher monitoring every lesson and a mark given to the students based on the skills they are demonstrating 
• Class and group performances throughout the unit which will be video 
• Assessment of understanding elements of music which is set for homework 

Term 2

I’ve Got Rhythm 

Key Skills & Concepts

• Develop a feeling for and an awareness of a regular pulse in music from different times and places.
• Distinguish between pulse/beat and rhythm.
• Develop an understanding of note values in terms of duration, bars and simple time signatures
• Application of skills through performance 

Assessment:

• Do now retrieval tasks
• Teacher monitoring every lesson and a mark given to the students based on the skills they are demonstrating 
• Class and group performances throughout the unit which will be videod
• Composition task for students to demonstrate understanding practically which will be assessed
• Assessment of understanding elements of music which is set for homework 

Term 3

Keyboard skills - Introduction to note reading

Key Skills & Concepts

• Understand how the classroom keyboard is used and played through developing basic keyboard techniques 
• Practising pieces of keyboard music to build skills and understanding of reading music and playing an instrument using correct posture, fingering and accuracy of pitch and rhythm  
• Further developing understanding of pitch and rhythm through learning to read treble clef notation  
• EXT: Developing own instrumental skills and improving music theory knowledge

Assessment:

• Do now retrieval tasks 
• Students self review every lesson using the ‘I can…’ grid in their booklets 
• Teacher monitoring every lesson and a mark given to the students based on the skills they are demonstrating 
• Final performance of a piece to the teacher who can then assess accuracy and fluency in performance 

Term 4

Instruments of the orchestra

Key Skills & Concepts

• Develop an understanding of musical instruments and how they are played, the families/sections, construction , different sound production methods and characteristic timbres/sonorities.
• Improve instrument recognition and the role of the instrument in an orchestra 
• Perform using orchestral tones/voices/sounds from keyboards as part of a ‘class orchestra’ with an awareness of the experience of ‘performing together’ as an ensemble and the roles of different instrumental parts and textural layers on the music as a whole.

Assessment:

• Do now retrieval tasks 
• Weekly listening tasks identifying instruments of the orchestra
• Knowledge and understanding assessed homework - exit ticket style 
• Monitoring of rehearsal and learning time 
• Recorded mid-point and final performance 

Term 5

Introduction to Band Skills: Ukulele

Key Skills & Concepts

• To develop instrumental skills on the ukulele 
• To understand what a chord is and how to play a chord on a ukulele
• To develop rehearsal skills using the Learn to Play framework
• To improve timing when playing as part of a group 
• To demonstrate successful performance skills on the ukulele

Assessment:

• Do now retrieval tasks 
• Monitoring of students progress throughout the unit of work 
• Mid-point performance assessment 
• Assessment of knowledge and understanding through homework task 
• Final performance assessment 

Term 6

Soundscapes using Music Technology

Key Skills and Concepts

• Demonstrate understanding of the Elements of Music: PITCH, TEMPO, DYNAMICS, DURATION, TEXTURE, TIMBRE or SONORITY, ARTICULATION, SILENCE. 
• Draw on the Elements of Music as a resource when composing, creating and improvising 
• Recognise the Elements of Music when listening to and appraising music from different times and different places.
• Develop skills in using music technology

Assessment

• Do now retrieval tasks
• Continuous monitoring of students composition work 
• Elements of music assessment homework task 
• Mid-point review of composition work 
• Final hand in of composition work 

Year 8

Term 1

Exploring Rhythm and Pulse through Samba 

Key Skills & Concepts

• Develop understanding of the importance of rhythm in music 
• Understand how instruments, structures and textures are used in Samba
• Perform as part of a larger ensemble understanding key roles of performers and different instruments and the relationship between these and the effect this has on the music
• Use rhythmic features such as ostinato, cyclic rhythms, polyrhythms, call and response and syncopation when performing and improvising

Assessment:

• Do now retrieval tasks 
• Small assessment tasks throughout the unit 
• Weekly monitoring and verbal feedback 
• Mid-point performance review and feedback 
• Mid-point elements of music assessment for homework 
• Final performances with teacher assessment and student reviews

Term 2

Advanced Keyboard - simple chords and melodies

Key Skills & Concepts

• Recap how the classroom keyboard is used and played 
• Practising pieces of keyboard music to build skills and understanding of reading music and playing an instrument using correct posture, fingering and accuracy of pitch and rhythm 
• Understand the importance of “warming-up” before playing a keyboard or piano 
• Understand what a chord is and how to play a chord 
• Learn how to read bass clef 
• Develop solo performance skills 

Assessment:

• Do now retrieval tasks 
• Mid-point elements of music assessment for homework 
• Regular monitoring and regular verbal feedback 
• Video of performance and final assessment 

Term 3

Variation Form

Key Skills & Concepts

• To develop a knowledge and understanding of how the Elements of Music can be used and manipulated as a basic form of musical variation to an existing theme or melody
• Know, understand, and use other musical devices that can be changed or added to, to provide musical variation to an existing theme or melody
• Understand Variation Form as a type of musical Form and Structure
• Develop listening skills and ability to identify specific musical features 
• To develop compositional skills 

Assessment:

• Do now retrieval tasks 
• Review of learning end of lesson tasks 
• Monitoring of progress in composition ]
• Mid-point understanding the elements of music assessment - homework task 
• Final assessment of variations 

Term 4

Off-beat: Exploring Reggae (Ukulele Project)

Key Skills & Concepts

• To recognise the stylistic conventions of Reggae music
• How chords contribute to the texture of a song
• To understand the difference between primary and secondary chords
• To recognise the key features of a Reggae bass line
• To understand syncopation and how it is used in Reggae music
• To identify the different layers that make up Reggae music
• To develop ukulele skills through learning how to change between chords and how to play a bass riff and melodic hook

Assessment:

• Do now retrieval tasks 
• Review of learning end of lesson tasks 
• Monitoring of progress in performing 
• Mid-point understanding the elements of music assessment - homework task 
• Final assessment of arrangement of Reggae song 

Terms 5 and 6

Music technology focus - Music for Video Games

Key Skills and Concepts

• Develop confidence in using music technology to compose music 
• Understand the various ways in which music is used within a range of computer and video games from different times.
• Understand, describe and use common compositional features used in computer and video game music.
• Understand how to vary, adapt and change a melody (character theme) for different atmospheres/scenarios.
• Understand the importance of sound effects and how these are used at certain cues to enhance gameplay within a computer or video game.  

Assessment

• Do now retrieval tasks
• Mid-point assessment of understanding the elements of music 
• Regular monitoring and feedback throughout the unit
• Final assessment and feedback of compositions and skills in using the technology

Year 9 

Term 1

The Blues: Developing keyboard skills  

Key Skills & Concepts

• Know how Chords and Triads are performed, notated, and used in Blues within a 12-bar Blues Chord Sequence
• Know, recognise, and perform Chords I, I7, IV, IV7, V & V7 in different ways e.g., as a Walking Bass Line
• Understand and demonstrate what makes an “effective” improvisation e.g., using the notes of the Blues Scale
• Understand how lyrics are structured over the 12 bar blues chord sequence 
• Compose in a Blues style demonstrated understanding of the typical features  

Assessment:

• Do now retrieval tasks
• Regular monitoring of students work and feedback 
• Recordings of students work for feedback 
• Mid-point assessment of the Elements of Music 
• Final assessment of Blues piece 

Term 2

Minimalism

Key Skills & Concepts

• Develop understanding of simple and compound time signatures 
• Understand that twentieth century music consisted of many different types, styles, movements and genres
• Understand and demonstrate how minimalist composers develop pieces from small starting points
• Know and demonstrate the compositional and serialist techniques used by expressionist composers
• Manipulate motifs, cells and note/tone rows using a variety of musical development techniques

Assessment:

• Do now retrieval tasks 
• Regular monitoring of composition tasks 
• Verbal feedback on a regular basis 
• Mid-point assessment demonstrating understanding of elements of music specific to minimalism 
• Final assessment of composition work

Terms 3 and 4

Film Music Composition using Music Technology

Key Skills & Concepts

• How music can enhance the visual images and dramatic impact of film and can reflect the emotional and narrative messages of the drama
• How timing is a crucial factor in the composition and performance of music for film
• How film music can change the viewer’s interpretation of a scene
• Exploration of a range of film music composers 
• Develop listening skills through identification of typical film music techniques 
• How to create an effective musical narrative for a film scene, using appropriate techniques to create an intended effect

Assessment:

• Do now retrieval tasks 
• Mini assessment tasks demonstrating understanding of key compositional features sued in film music 
• Mid-point assessment demonstrating understanding of elements of music specific to film music 
• Final composition project assessment 

Terms 5 and 6

Band Skills: Musical Futures 

Key Skills and Concepts

• To know the Terminology Associated with the Instrument
• To be able to follow instructions
• To demonstrate secure ability to play an instrument
• To develop ensemble skills
• To learn and understand what it means to be a Musician
• To follow written notation

Assessment

• Do now retrieval tasks 
• Regular monitoring of skills development as suggested by Musical Futures 
• Regular verbal feedback 
• Self-assessment through weekly WWW and EBI setting 
• Mid-point performance assessment 
• Mid-point elements of music assessment to complete for homework 
• Final performance assessment 

Extension unit: Introduction to songwriting (4 chord hits)

Key Skills and Concepts 

• Understand how popular songs have mass appeal across all age ranges and in a variety of contexts.  
• Understand the importance of structure in popular songs.
• Understand the importance of a memorable melody in a popular song.
• Understand ways of describing melodic movement and range

Assessment:

• Do now retrieval tasks 
• Listening assessments throughout the unit 
• Regular feedback on composition 
• Mid-point elements of music assessment for homework 
• Final assessment of pop song compositions 

Part B: Co-curricular music

Beyond our class teaching, students are given the opportunity to expand their musical experience by attending extra-curricular within school and Slough Music Service. Enrichment activities are also encouraged and we are hoping to increase such events during our next academic year. 

At school we currently offer the following activities:

• School Choir
• Recorder Club

Instrumental provision by Slough Music Service is:

• Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Guitar: acoustic and electric
• Woodwind: Flute, Recorder, Clarinet and Saxophone
• Piano and Keyboard
• Drums

Part C: Musical experiences

This is about all the other musical events and opportunities that we organise, such as singing in assembly, concerts and shows, and trips to professional concerts.

• As the students' confidence increases, we are planning on including regular events such as singing in assembly, musical performances, concerts and shows at the school, and trips to concerts outside of the school. The choir have already sung at a celebration evening, and In December the choir is singing at a community Christmas celebration. 

In the future

This is about what the school is planning for subsequent years.

Music is a growing subject at Beechwood, as such, we are hoping to offer Music at Key Stage 4 to students 2026/2027.

Offer peripatetic lessons.

Offer cultural musical experiences to disadvantaged students.