EMPOWER: Throughout KS3 students work both independently and in groups to perform and create music. Following the imparting of knowledge of the musical style, delivered to all students at the start of a topic, students are then taught specific instrumental skills in performance, thus empowering and preparing them to use that knowledge to produce practical work. Students are taught to take responsibility for their own learning, practise and creativity. This includes responsibility for their own participation in group projects and band work and the part that they play. The onus becomes increasingly on the student to promote responsibility to the subject and the peers with whom they work.

RESPECT: Through a safe and respectful environment, students learn to trust their ideas, abilities and to grow in confidence whilst practising and refining teamwork and cooperation skills. Through the study of specific skills and techniques in musical theory and performance, students will develop their resilience, self-discipline, health and well-being to overcome challenges and learn how to present themselves going into real life situations. All students are encouraged to develop their skills further through a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including workshops and termly productions. Students are also taught, through the delivery of a wide range of musical genres, how to appreciate and show respect for different styles and their cultural traditions. A classroom culture of respect is fostered through teaching about the responsibilities of being an audience member thus also preparing them for life in the wider community and Arts culture.

ASPIRE: Students are encouraged to harness their passion for music or ignite one through practical, skill-based work. In music we look to inspire a love for the subject and capture the imagination of students whilst developing confident individuals that are equipped to deal with the musical world in which they live. Our students enjoy learning through practical activities which encompass a wide range of musical styles and genres that in turn encourages students’ critical engagement thus enhancing listening and appraising skills and informing student’s own practice. We explore avenues of creativity that allow students to develop their own passion through practical means and begin to create their own musical works. Students with a talent and passion for Music are encouraged and challenged to perform at the highest level on their own and with others throughout

Music lessons at Ercall are engaging for students focussing on popular areas of music, such as Reggae, Samba, Arican drumming, film music, and pop music, whilst adding knowledge of music theory, instrumental and vocal skills alongside performing, composing and appraising skills. The inter-related dimensions underpin every music lesson and are fundamental to the Music curriculum. Knowledge and skills are delivered and developed with a practical focus, beginning in year 7 where students learn vocal and singing technique, keyboard and ukulele skills, basic performance and composition skills such as how to compose simple melodies and organise musical ideas into structurally coherent musical pieces. Year 8 continues with vocal and keyboard skills, advancing on those learned in year 7, and introduces chords, improvisation and builds on knowledge of the pentatonic scale gained in year 7. The curriculum in year 8 has students playing and singing in different styles of music to broaden their musical horizons and cultural appreciation. Year 9 (term 1) extends the knowledge and skills of students as they explore, in greater detail, how popular music is composed (scales, chord patterns and longer melodies, song structures). In term 2 students gain an insight into the creation of musical products learning about composing devices, responding to stimuli and developing their own skills whilst composing short pieces of film music. Term 3 provides an opportunity for students to consolidate their knowledge and skills from music in Key Stage 3 as they manipulate an existing piece of music and create a musical product using technology and DAW software.

The repetition of skill-based practice solidifies students’ ability to perform confidently as a soloist and a group and hone their technical skills on each instrument. Knowledge (short and long term) is recalled at the start of every lesson, thus enabling the students to retain knowledge in their working memory and apply in new contexts. The curriculum is sequenced to enable knowledge and skills to be delivered in a logical and meaningful way, building on previous knowledge as students move towards mastery. Students’ understanding is checked frequently, and misconceptions are addressed.

After engaging with, and being inspired by, the high-quality knowledge rich Music curriculum, students at Ercall Wood Academy may decide to follow their music education into Key Stage 4 where they will study for a BTEC Tech award in Music Practice, discovering the Key Stage 3 Music curriculum has sufficiently prepared them for this course. If students decide not to pursue Music at KS4 they will have gained skills in many areas such as creativity, problem solving, self-confidence and a sense of achievement. Students will finish Key Stage 3 as well-rounded individuals, holding a wealth of knowledge of musical styles and traditions, great composers and musicians thus enhancing their cultural capital and ability to engage with music in society. Through rehearsal time they will have explored the ideas of self-discipline, problem solving and time management and enter into KS4 with an ability to work more independently.  As documented in the National Plan for Music Education, ‘all students will have had the opportunity to sing, play an instrument, and create music together.’

Students in Key Stage 3 receive 1 piece of Music homework per half term. The nature of the task depends on the topic taught; examples include quizzes to check knowledge gained (Show my homework), or research or listening and appraising tasks related to the genre or musical style being taught.

At present, students from all year groups at Ercall Wood Academy can attend extra-curricular activities such as vocal group and Rock School.

Vocal Group are also taking part in Telford Sings event in 2025, an event organised with Music Share and Telford and Wrekin Music Service.

We also work closely with Telford and Wrekin Music Service in providing an opportunity for students to receive instrumental lessons in school.

There are many transferrable skills acquired and developed through Key Stage 3 music such as creativity, time management, communication, cooperation ad teamwork, leadership and project management, problem solving, listening and analysing skills, organisation skills and responsibility.  These are developed through independent and group work activities.

Subject specific skills relate to the three pillars of Music; Performing, Composing and Listening and Appraising.

Students wishing to progress in Music from Key Stage 3 would choose Music at key Stage 4. At Ercall Wood Academy we currently offer BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in Music Practice.