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Music
“Music is the universal language of mankind.”
Music helps students communicate beyond words. Regardless of language, background, or ability, music allows students to express ideas, emotions, and culture in a shared way. Through performing, listening, and creating music, students develop collaboration, empathy, and understanding, showing how music truly functions as a universal language.
Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon. Adapted from National Curriculum, DfE, 2021.
“A life enriched by music”
The Hessle High School curriculum for music aims to ensure that all our students:
- Learn to sing and to use their voices
- Create and compose music on their own and with others
- Have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument
- Build their cultural capital by exploring the cultural and historical significance of music
- Develop a curiosity for different genres of music and an appreciation of different genres of music through the ages
- Prepare for the modern-day world of work within the music industry and beyond
- See the cross-curricular links and the empowering nature of music
- Develop their understanding of how music can be used at different occasions and as a powerful tool to nurture their own well-being
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
| Year | Autumn | Spring | Summer |
| 7 |
Exploring the inter-related dimensions of music and developing vocal skills West African Drumming |
Keyboard Skills | Ukulele Skills |
| 8 | Blues |
Theme and Variations Film Music |
Ukulele Skills 2 |
| 9 |
Britpop Synthpop |
Back in Time – Exploring music through the Baroque Classical and Romantic Periods |
Electronic Dance Music – Music Tech |
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
| Year | Autumn | Spring | Summer |
| 10 GCSE Music - Edexcel |
Theory and General Musicianship Introduction to Edexcel GCSE Course AOS 3 – Music for Stage and Screen - 'Main Title Theme/Rebel Blockade Runner' from Star Wars by J. Williams AOS 3 - Music for Stage and Screen - 'Defying Gravity' from Wicked by S. Schwartz Component 1 - Ensemble Performance |
AOS 1 – Instrumental Music 1700 – 1820 – ‘Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, 3rd Movement’ by J.S. Bach AOS 1 – Instrumental Music 1700 – 1820 – ‘Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Pathetique, 1st Movement’ by Beethoven. Component 1 – Solo Performance |
AOS 2 – Vocal Music – ‘Killer Queen’ by Queen. AOS 2 – Vocal Music – ‘Music for a While’ by Purcell. Component 2 – Free Composition |
|
11 GCSE Music – Edexcel 2025–2026 |
AOS 4 – Fusions – ‘Release’ from the album Volume 2 : Release by Afro Celt Sound System AOS 4 – Fusions – ‘Samba Em Preludio’ from the album Esperanza by Esperanza Spalding
Component 2 – Brief Composition |
Completion of Coursework for Component 1 – Performance and Component 2 – Composition Revision of all set works |
Revision of all set works |
Homework
In Key Stage 3, homework is set when appropriate and is designed to support students’ learning in a variety of ways. This may include researching a topic or a key artist, or listening to music pieces linked to the current area of study.
In Key Stage 4, homework is tailored to prepare students for their examinations and performances. It includes music theory exercises, research into composers and different works, and focused practice on their chosen performance instrument to support Component 1 – Performance.
Extracurricular
In Music, we offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including instrumental lessons in piano, guitar, upper strings, lower strings, woodwind, brass, and drum kit. Students can also take part in the school choir, band rehearsals, and a music theory group. There are regular opportunities to perform throughout the school year, allowing students to develop confidence and showcase their musical progress.