Music

The music curriculum exposes students to a wide range of styles, genres, classical and contemporary performance practitioners and works. Students explore context, influences, meanings and intent, as well as key techniques, sonic and compositional features of the styles, techniques and genres they explore. The curriculum is sequenced to increase the levels of demand and sophistication both in terms of the analytical and critical understanding of these practitioners’ works, as well as the complexity of core skills acquired and applied to students’ own performances and compositions. Students are exposed to industry standard music software programs as well as a wide range of instruments, playing, creating and recording techniques. Each key stage is sequenced to equip students with the skills and understanding needed for success at the next key stage, into further study or the world of work. We pride ourselves on delivering a vocationally focused curriculum that gives real world examples and applications of musical learning.

In KS3, students in year 7 will explore the basics of performance skills on a range of instruments including their voice, focusing on the musical elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, pitch, instrumentation and structure. They will learn how to perform with accuracy and confidence both on their own and in an ensemble setting, and develop high quality instrumental and vocal technique through appraising a range of genres and styles from the 1700s to the present day. Students in year 7 will also be tasked with using industry standard music production software (DAW) to learn how to create their own musical compositions, bringing together their prior knowledge and learning of different musical styles and the elements of music.

In KS3, students in year 8 will critically explore music from a range of styles including musical theatre, reggae and pop through appraisal, performance and composition. They will build upon prior knowledge and develop their instrumental and vocal skills across the year through performing music from these different genres with accuracy and confidence on their own, in pairs and in small ‘bands’. They will also have the opportunity to explore and experiment with creative composition using industry standard production software to devise their own film music and pop remixes, focusing on elements of music such as melody, harmony, structure, texture and tempo. While using this production software, they will also learn how to record live performances into the DAW (Cubase) using professional recording equipment and techniques.

In KS3, students in year 9 will examine and analyse different musical styles from throughout the 1900s that link directly with the KS4 Music Practice BTEC Award curriculum. They will do this through a range of activities including performing pieces from these decades on different instruments and voice, learning how to compose music in this style and how to record and produce their performances with industry standard production software and equipment. Students will be introduced to the Compositional and Sonic features of each of the genres they study and learn how these features are applied to different styles of music both within performing and creating strands. Year 9 students will perform individually and in small ensembles and learn how to improvise a short section of music inspired by the Blues on their chosen instrument. They will learn how to follow a set brief to mix and master a track as though for release into the commercial music market. The year will give them the foundation of the knowledge, skills and musical attributes needed to be successful at the next key stage.

KS4

Students will study for the BTEC Tech Award in music practice. 

The Tech Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific applied knowledge and skills through realistic vocational contexts. The main focus is on four areas of equal importance:: 

• development of key skills that prove learners’ aptitude in music, such as responding to a musical brief using musical skills and techniques; 
• processes that underpin effective ways of working in the music sector, such as the development of musical ideas, and using skills and techniques for rehearsal, creation, production and performance to respond to a music brief;
• attitudes that are considered most important in the music sector, including personal management and communication; and
• knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, processes and attitudes in the sector, such as musical skills and styles. 

We aim to develop our Key stage five courses to be able to offer two vocational pathways for performers and producers leading directly from our KS4 Music Tech Award. 

We are constantly reviewing and developing our music curriculum to lead to more whole school performances and embed more singing/performance and musical enjoyment opportunities. We are aiming to create whole cohort performances from selected schemes of learning for each year group. The first wave of this beginning this academic year. We aim to have this embedded as a regular feature of all KS3 music learning by 2027. 

Hours of lessons per fortnight for this subject:

- KS3:2

- KS4:5

- KS5: is in development. We aim to deliver two KS5 BTEC pathways in 2026 For performers (BTEC national extended Cert in Music performance) and producers. (BTEC National extended cert in Music technology. ) These will be 8 lessons a fortnight if enough students join our Sixth form music offer.

KS4 Pearson - BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice

2 well-equipped music classrooms with 10 practice rooms shared between them and a large ensemble rehearsal space that can be converted to a classroom.

A recording studio with industry standard equipment.

A large selection of acoustic and electric guitars/bass guitars.

6 drum kits and a range of percussion instruments from around the world.

20 keyboards in each classroom for student use.

50+ computers shared across the classrooms with industry standard recording/production software.

30 audio interfaces for recording instruments into DAW’s

25 Midi controller keyboards

A selection of professional grade microphones for specialist voice/instrument and drum recordings. 

A large range of drums and percussion instruments. 

Access to instrumental/voice lessons via our hub West Sussex Music.

We have a well established enrichment program of performances in the year that students will be invited to audition for, we encourage, promote and support solo, duet, group  and band performances at these events. 

We have a TLA choir that are invited to perform regularly both in school and in the wider community. We welcome new members each year via audition. 

We are developing a program of TLA chapel ‘acoustic’ and ‘open mic’ style performances for students to either watch or practise and perform in. This is in development this year and will be established by 2026.

We offer peripatetic lessons in voice/piano/drums and guitar through our local Music Hub . (Those eligible for pupil premium or free school meals may be entitled to reduced or free lessons depending on availability - please see West Sussex Music’s website and contact the Director of Faculty or your child’s music teacher for more information.)

https://www.westsussexmusic.co.uk/make-music/music-lessons/

Students are encouraged to use the several practice spaces we have available at lunchtimes (for drop in club) or after school following the published TLA Music enrichment offer. 

Visits to see shows and performances to enhance the curriculum are arranged in the academic year when possible and pupil premium funding is allocated to ensure fair access to all .