Music
Mr. C. Byrne – Curriculum Leader
Music at Testwood School encourages every student to explore sound, creativity, and expression in a way that feels meaningful and accessible. Our curriculum is built on doing music, not just learning about it: students sing, play, compose, listen, rehearse and refine, discovering how music works by experiencing it first-hand. From their first steps in Year 7 through to GCSE, they encounter a rich and varied musical world that includes drumming traditions, popular styles, classical forms, film and videogame soundtracks, and music from different cultures. This breadth helps students understand music as both a personal art form and a shared human language.
As they progress, students develop a growing confidence in their practical skills, their musical knowledge, and their ability to work collaboratively. They learn how melody, harmony, rhythm and texture shape the music they hear and the music they create, and they build resilience through regular rehearsal, performance, and composition tasks. By the time they reach Key Stage 4, students are equipped to engage thoughtfully with the OCR GCSE course, drawing on years of hands-on experience and musical curiosity. Our aim is for every pupil to leave Testwood with a strong sense of their own musical voice and an appreciation of the wider musical world, ready to continue as performers, creators, or simply informed listeners.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Intent
Music is an authentic part of culture and reflects societies’ and individuals’ experience of life.
At Testwood School, our Key Stage 3 Music curriculum offers a bespoke learning experience that helps students build strong foundational skills while exploring the rich, cultural world of music. Music is an authentic part of culture and reflects both societies’ and individuals’ experiences of life. Through rehearsing, performing, composing, and listening & appraising, students engage confidently and creatively with a wide variety of musical styles and traditions, developing both technical skills and an emotional connection to music.
Our KS3 curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity and a lifelong love of music. Students learn to read standard notation, compose their own music using instruments and technology, and work collaboratively in ensembles. By combining practical, creative, and analytical skills, students gain the confidence and knowledge to succeed in future music study while expressing themselves thoughtfully, creatively, and joyfully.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum Intent
At Testwood, our OCR GCSE Music course builds on KS3 foundations, allowing students to develop advanced skills in performing, composing, and listening. The course explores a wide range of musical styles, from pop and rock to classical, film, and world music, while encouraging creativity, analysis, and individual expression. It is 60% NEA-based, with students completing two compositions and two performances, providing practical, hands-on experience that forms the core of their assessment.
The OCR GCSE Music course at Testwood complements private study on students’ chosen instruments, providing a structured framework to develop technique, performance skills, and musical understanding. Beyond supporting individual practice, the course opens doors to a wide variety of career paths, including performance, composition, teaching, music technology, and arts management. By combining academic study with practical experience, students gain the confidence, knowledge, and versatility to pursue music at a higher level or integrate it into a broader range of professional opportunities.
