Every KS3 music lesson begins with a verbal or written response to a listening activity. Our aim is to give students confidence with their oracy skills around music with reference to our acronym MADTSHIRT which refers to the main elements of music. Each lesson will also include a practical activity based around performance and/or composing on a variety of instruments. Some SOLs will give students the opportunity to record their work using our specialist software Studio One 7. Students are expected to work collaboratively with others to create music.

Students who opt for music at KS4 study OCR GCSE Music. This is divided up into 40% Listening + Appraising, 30% Performance and 30% Composition. To break this down further, each student performs one solo piece, one ensemble piece and composes two pieces of music - one is a free composition and one is to a set brief. The listening + appraising exam is based around four areas of study: The Concerto Through Time, Rhythms Of The World, Film Music and Conventions Of Pop.

Students who opt to study music at Thornleigh Sixth Form will study Pearson L3 BTEC Extended Certificate in Music Performance. The course is divided into four units, two of which are internally assessed and two externally assessed: Unit 6: Solo Performance (internal), Unit 2: Professional Practice In The Music Industry (external), Unit 1: Practical Music Theory + Harmony (internal) and Unit 3: Ensemble Performance (external)

Year 12: Unit 6 (Solo Performance) + Unit 2 (Professional Practice In The Music Industry)

Year 13: Unit 3 (Ensemble Performance) + Unit 1 (Practical Music Theory + Harmony)