The Music department aims to provide a varied curriculum in years 7 to 9, that will prepare them for KS3 and provide a secure foundation for continued study at KS4 (GCSE). Study can also continue to AS and A2 level examination.
All pupils have the opportunity to receive instrument / vocal tuition; lessons are on an individual basis with one half hour lesson per week. We have an excellent team of peripatetic staff who are themselves professional musicians and are committed to providing instrumental lessons of high quality in both teaching and learning. Performance is a compulsory element of the public examinations in Music at GCSE and AS / A2 level. Students are also encouraged to enter the external instrumental examination provided by various boards including the ABRSM.
The department encourages participation in extra curricular activities ranging from performance in ensembles and bands of various kinds, including a recently formed jazz group to the larger unit of the wind band; also the annual school production, which is staged at Christmas and the many Fests that take place during the school year. Students are encouraged to perform in assemblies and at such events as the formal school Presentation Evening and providing music at the CCF annual dinner and the Art display evening. There is also opportunity to sing as part of a choir.
The department has two teaching rooms and five small rooms; the small rooms are for instrumental teaching and student practice, two of the smaller rooms are furnished with Apple Mac computers for use by music examination classes.