Music Department Intent

At Meopham it is our goal to help students to become well rounded, empathetic students who appreciate a variety of different cultures from around the world. With this in mind, students are introduced to a broad selection of different musical styles and genres which allow them to understand how some modern music is formed and created.

Lessons are active with students learning practical and theoretical skills. As well as being given opportunities to perform in class, in school shows and productions. Music should be FUN and class activities are always intended to be engaging and enjoyable.

Starting from an early age students will be challenged to sing in groups, working together to perform for concerts and school shows. This is something that is put into practice from Yr 7 and continues all of the way through Key Stage 3. This is essential in building confidence in their early years and allows them to understand the importance of rehearsing, practising and performance. The songs that students learn are mostly contemporary pieces of music that are chosen so that they are interesting, engaging and relevant to our students.

In Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9, Music students learn to become confident performers. We study different genres of music as well as learn to compose our very own melodies and lyrics from Year 7. Early on in Year 8 students will begin to learn keyboard skills which will help them to compose and create later on in the year. In Year 9, students are encouraged to recall prior learning throughout the year culminating in a songwriting task towards the end of the key stage. Year 7, 8 and 9 students also develop Music Technology skills through the use of ‘Bandlab’ on our department Chromebooks.

Throughout the year there are several performance opportunities which we encourage all students from KS3 to take part in.

As well as offering Music at KS3 level students are now able to extend their studies by taking part in our BTEC Music course.

This is a vocational course which really plays to the strengths of our students here at Meopham.

The course focuses on three components of work being completed which is made up of the following:

• Component 1 – Exploring Music Products and Styles

• Component 2 - Music Skills Development

• Component 3 - Responding to a Music Brief

This course is designed to be fun and engaging but it is important to understand that there is a significant amount of written work. Before starting this course students will need to demonstrate that they regularly engage with music. In certain circumstances playing an instrument is not essential but it is an advantage.