Music

Head of Department
Mr R Taylor

"The music classroom should reflect the very nature of music itself"

— Philpott and Spruce, 2012

At The Vyne, our curriculum is designed to serve the art form, fostering practical skill, creative craft, and deep musical understanding.

1. Key Stage 3 Curriculum Mapping

Our assessment model is built on a progressive, stage-appropriate philosophy. The core curriculum ensures students engage with different genres, styles, and skills across all three years.

2. Our Progressive Assessment

We assess students across three core pillars in every unit: Practical Musicianship, Creative Musicianship, and Applied Musical Understanding. This process provides a headline grade for each unit. Most feedback is verbal and delivered every lesson (known as 'live marking'), which allows students to act upon guidance and make progress immediately. For students learning an instrument outside of school, they can opt for the Specialist Musician Pathway, allowing part of their Practical Musicianship grade to be assessed using their own instrument and repertoire.

3. Facilities and Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Facilities: Students work in our dedicated music area, which includes two specialist classrooms, three practice rooms, and a professional recording studio. We leverage a range of technology, including computers and iPads, to ensure students can engage with music making and production at the highest level.

Extra-Curricular Clubs and Opportunities: We offer a vibrant range of ensembles and clubs designed to cater to all tastes and abilities, including:

●     Vyne Voices (choir)

●     Rock Band!

●     Songwriters Circle

●     Music Production Club

We also facilitate one-to-one or small group instrumental tuition through our team of peripatetic teachers, and offer regular trips and workshops to connect classroom learning with the professional world of music.