Music
At St Aldhelm's Academy, we believe that music is a universal language that fosters creativity at its highest level. Our priority is to provide all students with a high-quality music education that inspires and engages them, cultivating a love of music while developing their confidence, creativity, and sense of achievement.
Key Stage 3
At KS3, every student has the opportunity to perform, listen to, review, and evaluate a broad range of musical styles, traditions, and genres. They will learn to sing, use their voices, and compose both individually and in group settings. Throughout their lesson times, students will be introduced to various instruments and will also have the opportunity to receive additional lessons with a peripatetic instrumental teacher. Music technology is integrated into the curriculum, allowing students to explore how music is created, produced, and communicated. Key musical concepts like pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, and structure are taught to give students a solid foundation.
Our Year 7 and Year 8 music lessons are entirely practical. Recognizing that many students may not have had significant exposure to music before arriving at the academy, we ensure that all pupils experience the hands-on elements of music-making. This approach not only fully engages them in lessons but also gives them a sense of what it's like to create music and be part of an ensemble.
Key Stage 4
As students progress into Key Stage 4 (KS4), they have the option to take music as a formal subject. We place great importance on deepening their understanding of performance and what it means to be a musician. KS4 students focus on teamwork, honing their musical skills, and experiencing the satisfaction of producing something that others can appreciate.
Throughout KS4, students are encouraged to build on the practical skills learned in KS3, with greater emphasis on performance, composition, and music theory. If your child demonstrates a particular talent or passion for music, they will be identified and encouraged to pursue this subject through Years 9, 10, and 11, where they can further refine their abilities and explore music as both an academic and artistic pursuit.