Music

Vision statement

At The Swan School, the Music Department is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and inclusive musical environment where every student can develop their musical skills and literacy. Our mission is to empower students to confidently engage with music, ensuring they leave Year 9 equipped with the foundational knowledge to pursue whatever musical path they choose; whether that is further formal study (i.e. GCSE or A-level), or other informal pursuits (i.e. musical clubs, their own band, or enjoyment through listening).

We emphasize the importance of reading music, enabling students to master staff notation by the end of Year 7. By the end of Year 9, students will have a solid knowledge of complex musical concepts, be able to analyse music in a range of genres, and students will have completed various performance and composition tasks to have put their musical knowledge into practice.

Music is a gateway to personal expression and community connection. Our curriculum encourages students to participate actively in the school choir, form their own bands, or learn an instrument, fostering a lifelong love for music and collaboration.

A typical Music Lesson

A typical Music lesson at The Swan School will begin with a retrieval on music theory, or an aural exercise. Students will then learn or practise a musical concept, which will often involve using a keyboard to help develop their understanding of that concept. Every Cycle, students work towards a practical assessment as well an assessment based on theory & aural skills. The practical assessment alternates between an individual performance (on a keyboard/piano) or a composition based on the genre we are learning about. Students often work in pairs, particularly during keyboard-based activities, but students are assessed individually.

Curriculum Maps