Music

Department Staff

Director of Music - Mr E. Caborn

Teacher of Music - Mrs A. Willmott

Creative Arts Technician - Mrs M. Banting (part time)

We are committed to providing a high-quality and enjoyable music education for every member of our school community. We aim to nurture and develop the next generation of musicians; whatever their style or interests, there is something for everyone in our thriving department. This rich, supportive environment has earned us official recognition as a Lead School for Music by Kent Music - a testament to our outstanding provision and the incredible dedication of our young musicians.

Our commitment to providing a wide range of musical opportunities has created a vibrant energy across the school, with a great number of students from all year groups picking up instruments, joining ensembles, and performing.

Our packed extracurricular programme offers something for everyone, with clubs and ensembles including:

• Choir, Chamber Choir, and Junior Chamber Choir
  
  
• String Orchestra and Chamber String Orchestra
• Carol Service Orchestra
  
  
• Saxophone Ensemble
  
  
• KS3 Band Programme
  
  
• Jamming Club

Outside of scheduled rehearsals, students are also welcome to book our music practice rooms during lunchtimes for either solo practice or independent group sessions.

Music Curriculum

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, we focus on unlocking students' creativity through hands-on performing, composing, listening, and appraising. Because Music is a practical subject, our lessons are highly active and collaborative. Much of our curriculum is inspired by the Musical Futures approach, which gets students working together on exciting, project-based group activities.

Alongside traditional instruments, students develop modern Music Technology skills using Soundtrap, learning how to compose and produce music digitally. While the focus is always on making music, students also build a strong theoretical foundation - learning to read notation and use key musical vocabulary - giving them a brilliant head start for Key Stage 4.

Key Stage 4 - GCSE Music (AQA)

We offer AQA GCSE Music at Key Stage 4, giving pupils the chance to explore a wide range of genres while building performance and composition skills. It is a creative, inclusive curriculum designed to cover great depth. Whether your child plans to pursue a career in music or not, this GCSE builds valuable creative and critical skills that will open doors for your future.

It is a highly rewarding but demanding course that suits self-disciplined students who practice their instrument or voice regularly.

The course is 60% coursework and is split into three key areas:

• Performing Music (30% Coursework): Students submit one solo performance (15%) and one ensemble performance (15%). They should be working at or towards Grade 2 standard (exams not required) at the start of the course. Regular instrumental or vocal lessons are highly recommended.
  
  
• Composing Music (30% Coursework): Students will write and submit two of their own compositions - one in a style of their choice (15%) and one in response to a brief set by the exam board (15%).
  
  
• Understanding Music (40% Exam): A 90 minute listening and written exam at the end of the course. Students study four diverse areas: Western Classical (1650–1910), Popular Music, Traditional Music, and Western Classical since 1910.

Key Stage 5 - A Level Music (AQA)

Our A Level curriculum offers a holistic view of music history and theory, exploring iconic artists from Bach to Beyoncé and Mozart to Miles Davis.

The course builds on GCSE foundations and is divided into three core components:

• Performing Music (35% Coursework): A performance portfolio lasting a minimum of 10 minutes (solo, ensemble, or a mix of both), made up of separately recorded pieces. To support their development, A Level musicians are expected to participate in a school band or choir.
  
  
• Composing Music (25% Coursework): Students will write two compositions totaling at least four and a half minutes - one in response to an exam board brief, and one free composition in a style of their choice.
  
  
• Appraising Music (40% Exam): A listening and written exam testing analytical skills and contextual understanding. Students will study area of study 1, plus two more topics from areas of study 2-7.

1. 
   Western classical tradition 1650–1910 (compulsory)
   
   A) Baroque Solo Concerto
   
   B) Operas of Mozart
   
   C) Romantic Piano Music
   
   
2. Pop music
   
   
3. Music for media
   
   
4. Music for theatre
   
   
5. Jazz
   
   
6. Contemporary traditional music
   
   
7. Art music since 1910

Performances & Community Outreach

Our busy calendar offers performance opportunities for everyone. Students can play in casual settings like our popular H-Block lunchtime gigs, the Summer Fete, and the local Hop Festival, or perform in formal settings like our annual Carol Service, Chamber Concert, and Summer Concert.

We also love sharing our passion for music with the wider community through our outreach work with local primary schools. This includes hosting primary-focused carol concerts at Christmas and our fantastic primary school choir day, QE Vox, which brings pupils from local primary schools together for an exciting day of singing as a giant choir.

Instrumental & Vocal Lessons

To support our students' individual musical journeys, we have a brilliant team of peripatetic teachers who visit the school throughout the week to deliver private, one-to-one instrumental and vocal lessons.

A list of visiting teachers who are contactable directly is coming soon.