‘After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music’Aldous Huxley
Music is a powerful and unique form of communication between people of different ages, cultures, social backgrounds and abilities. Music has the ability to change the way students feel, think and act as it brings together intellect and feeling and enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development. As an integral part of culture, past and present, it helps pupils understand themselves and relate to others, forging important links between the home, school and the wider world.
At King's Leadership Academy Bolton, we aim for our students to become well-rounded musicians through performance, music technology, composition, listening, appraising and the wider theoretical aspects of music. Every student is exposed to different styles of music within different cultures. Students are also given incredible outreach opportunities to visit orchestras and to work with teachers at Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.
Students in year 7 & 8 receive two hours each week of music:
Students in year 9 receive one curriculum lesson each week and can take part in a range of extra-curricular music groups.
During Key Stage 3 curriculum lessons students will be taught to:
At least 1 class each year
The course starts in Year 10 with 2 hours of curriculum time
Plus 1 hour of 1-2-1/small group practical tuition (Bolton Music Service)
The Music curriculum is focussed on these key areas of focus:
Music is embedded across all forms of society and culture but due to its abstract nature it can feel overwhelming to comprehend. To access a deeper understanding of music a comprehensive glossary of terms will be studied, explored and engaged with to enable students to access the three areas of study in their Music education, Listening, Performance, and Composition.
At King’s we believe in the benefits of vocabulary rich curriculum. Starting in Year 7, key words and terminology are introduced and embedded through subject specialist teaching. We want students to ‘think like a musician’ and to be able to confidently ‘talk like a musician’.
Developing students' vocabulary will create the foundation for further study in Music which seeks to shift the learner from passive listening to actively interacting with the music that they hear. They will learn the necessary aural skills and how to critically engage with music allowing them to dissect and recreate what they hear either through composition or performance.
Many students who study music and engage with their practice away from school begin to cultivate habits which transcend the subject. Skills which link directly to our ASPIRE values such as endeavour, integrity, aspiration, and achievement as it takes hard work and dedication not only in school but outside of the school setting to become proficient and then excel and intellectual habits serve students in great stead no matter of the direction of which their flight path may take.
As students’ progress on their musical journey, they begin to reflect both on themselves and to the wider world around them. Thus begins one of the most powerful habits of progression, self-reflection.
Diversity is at the heart of Music as it permeates all forms of society, culture, and religion. Studying music provides the opportunity to explore how music differs between these different areas of life and begins to open students to the wider world.
Music at King’s aims to be all inclusive regardless of prior experience, SEN, and SEMH needs. All students will be stretched and challenged and any adjustments to facilitate the learning experience are informed by our Inclusion register.
We cater for many learning styles through our rigorous music program at King’s through our weekly music provision. There are further opportunities to succeed through our extra-curricular activities. As a broad curriculum is so important at King’s we want all children to have the opportunity to receive tuition.
As students receive music provision from peripatetic teachers, where students have a particular SEN need, adaptations are discussed with our peripatetic teachers to ensure all students at King’s can access music tuition. This is particularly important when planning for students with sensory and/ or physical needs.
2024-25 Music Subject Narrative
2024-25 Music Development Plan
‘Rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.’ PLATO