Music
The overarching aim of The Oxford Academy music department is to draw pupils into music through engaging and fun practical music-making that encourages a true interest in the subject and encourages: self-discipline, practice, enjoyment, emotional satisfaction and opportunities for individual and group activities; therefore, promoting creativity and expression.
The Oxford Academy music pathway teaches more than just a repertoire of skills it also develops insightfulness, understanding and quality of mind.
We aim to ensure all students perform, compose, listen to and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of great composers and musicians.
Students explore how music is created, produced and communicated, through the music elements of pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and musical notation.
Students learn to sing and to create and compose music on their own as well as with others; have the opportunity to learn musical instruments and use technology and perform.
Every student in The Oxford Academy has the opportunity to learn and take part in musical activities both inside and outside the classroom.
The curriculum is scaffolded to enable all students the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence and fully prepare students for the Music GCSE course on offer.
Year 7
Provides students with as much exposure to practical music-making as possible, on a wide range of instruments. Their experience of music-making in primaries will be extremely varied. Key musical concepts of listening, performing and composing are woven into all 6 schemes of work. Within each scheme, students are taught about the 11 key elements of music, how to recognise them and how to apply them practically. The KS3 music curriculum has been designed to reflect the diverse culture in which we live by broadening the listening element and repertoire to incorporate both black and female musicians and composers.
Year 8
Builds on the foundations and principles learned in year 7. All Sow have been designed to utilise the 11 key musical elements to create exciting musical results via a range of different methods. The year is also essential for recognising and harbouring students who are keen to continue the subject onto GCSE, offering them opportunities that stretch and challenge both inside and outside of the classroom environment.
Year 9
Combines the learning and knowledge gained in the previous two years into more significant musical projects. These will provide a varied and interesting musical experience that will allow pupils who are actively involved in music at school (and considering music at GCSE) to flourish alongside those who are not taking it forward. Topics will be challenging as well as specifically selected to keep all students engaged in the subject throughout the year.
KS4 (GCSE)
If you enjoy music in your own time and are learning an instrument, having singing lessons or like the idea of creating music on computers or in a recording studio, then this is a good subject to choose! If you would like to create music of your own, then composing will give you the opportunity. If you want to broaden your knowledge of all types of music, including classical, popular, electronic and world, then this exciting course will give you an appreciation of the diversity of musical styles that exist today.
You will be encouraged to experiment with various types of composition and given the opportunity to use computers as well as your chosen instrument to do this. You will hone your performing and listening skills throughout the course and learn about modern recording techniques. This course is for students who like music and particularly for anyone who plays a musical instrument, enjoys singing, or has an interest in music technology. If you are to complete all parts of the course to a high level, music should be an ongoing, important part of your life outside of lesson times.
Instrumental or vocal tuition and/or regular participation in music activities at weekends or in the evenings are strongly recommended. Students also need to be prepared to regularly participate in at least one school-based extracurricular music group, band or choir, as well as music concerts, shows and other performing art events.
Please find the curriculum overview document in the link below.
