Begin Your Music Journey
Discover how Music can shape your future — explore our curriculum from KS3 through to Sixth Form.
Contact the Music DepartmentMusic
The Music Department at Sandy Secondary School aims to provide a rich, dynamic, and inclusive music education that nurtures creativity, enhances cultural awareness, and fosters growth for all students. We offer opportunities to engage with a diverse range of musical genres, styles, and traditions through listening, performing, composing, and appraising.
In addition to the core curriculum, our vibrant extra-curricular programme offers a wealth of opportunities to participate in music groups, ensembles, and performances, enriching students' musical journey and increasing their cultural capital.
Anna Pietrzak-Switala
Teacher of Music
Gerard Mullaly
Curriculum Leader Music
Curriculum Intent, Implementation & Impact
Our Music curriculum is built around three core pillars. Expand the sections below to read our full statements on what we aim to achieve, how we deliver it, and the difference it makes to our students.
Intent
- The Music Department at Sandy Secondary School aims to provide a rich, dynamic, and inclusive music education that nurtures creativity, enhances cultural awareness, and fosters growth for all students.
- Our goal is to offer students the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of musical genres, styles, and traditions, enabling them to explore music through listening, performing, composing, and appraising.
- By immersing students in practical music-making experiences, we inspire them to develop a deep connection to music and appreciate its cultural significance worldwide.
- Through high-quality, engaging music provision, we aim to instil a lifelong passion for music while building students' creative, analytical, and technical skills.
- At Key Stage 3, students are introduced to key concepts and topics, closely aligned with the GCSE Areas of Study, helping bridge the gap between Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.
- At Key Stage 5, we offer meaningful opportunities for students to advance their music studies beyond GCSE, refining their listening, performance, and analytical skills.
- By engaging with more complex musical concepts, students deepen their understanding and prepare for future academic or creative pursuits.
- In addition to the core music curriculum, our vibrant extra-curricular programme offers students a wealth of opportunities to participate in music groups, ensembles, and performances.
- This enriches their musical journey and increases their cultural capital, promoting both musical and personal growth.
- We believe this holistic approach not only deepens students’ musical understanding but also enhances their broader academic, personal, and social development.
Implementation
- The Music curriculum is implemented through a structured, progressive approach across all key stages, focusing on practical music-making, skill development, and fostering a deep understanding of music.
- At Key Stage 3 (Years 7 and 8), music is taught as a compulsory subject, with students receiving one hour per week of lessons from a specialist music teacher.
- The curriculum emphasizes active engagement in music through performing, composing, listening, and appraising, allowing students to experience music in various forms and develop a well-rounded understanding of the subject.
- At Key Stage 4, students may choose music as part of their Year 9 curriculum, completing their GCSE by the end of Year 11.
- Students are provided with four hours of lessons every fortnight, where the focus is on developing performance, composition, and analytical skills, aligned with the Areas of Study outlined in the OCR GCSE syllabus.
- At Key Stage 5, students can opt to study the Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma for Music Practitioners, a vocational course designed to develop skills in live performance, rehearsal techniques, event management, and various industry-based units.
- Students receive four hours of lessons per week, focusing on practical music skills, industry knowledge, and career preparation, taught by a specialist music teacher.
- Throughout the curriculum, students are encouraged to apply their learning in real-world contexts, gaining both theoretical and practical expertise.
- Each key stage builds on prior knowledge, ensuring students progress in their musical journey, whether they choose an academic or vocational path.
- This structure equips students to pursue further studies or careers in music while fostering a deep, lasting passion for the subject.
Impact
- By the end of Key Stage 3, students will have developed skills in performing, composing, and appraising music.
- They will possess a strong understanding of basic music theory, setting them up for success in GCSE and beyond.
- Students will be exposed to a wide range of musical influences and traditions from various cultural and historical contexts, expanding their cultural capital and preparing them for GCSE music.
- By Year 8, students will have gained the confidence to decide whether to pursue music at GCSE level, with a solid grasp of music technology and composition techniques.
- By the end of Year 9, students will have made significant progress in their musical development.
- They will demonstrate improved performance skills, composition portfolios, and a solid understanding of the GCSE Areas of Study.
- Their literacy and extended writing skills will improve, incorporating key musical terminology, and students will be well-prepared for the demands of GCSE music, producing high-quality work across all components.
- By the end of Key Stage 4, students will have achieved a solid level of musical knowledge and skills, reflected in their GCSE results.
- They will have developed independent learning, time management, and critical thinking skills, enabling them to progress to further study in music or other fields.
- Students with SEND will be fully supported to reach their potential.
- The quality of their work, both in performance and composition, will prepare them for success in external exams and further education, including A-Level or vocational music pathways.
- At Key Stage 5, students will build upon their GCSE achievements, developing advanced musical skills and preparing for higher education or careers in music.
- Their growth in performance, analysis, and industry-based knowledge will provide them with the necessary tools for success in the music industry or related fields.
- By the end of the course, students will be well-prepared for their next steps, whether further study, employment, or training in the music sector.
Subject Information Sheets
Download curriculum overviews and subject information sheets for Music.
Subject Information Sheets
Curriculum documents for Music.
