Meet the Music Department
Miss E Wilson - Head of Department, lead on Creative Media Diploma
Mr J Boocock - Teacher of Music and Creative Media Diploma
Music at Batley Girls' High School
The Music Department is a lively place that offers a broad curriculum designed to broaden the experiences of all students and give them all a platform to express themselves, as well as develop personally, socially and culturally. They learn different topics that link with every area of the curriculum to support every aspect of their learning as well as subject specific learning. They develop many skills such as team work, independent leaning skills, creative thinking skills and citizenship as well as important Music skill such as reading notation, keyboard skills, composition, performance, listening and appraising skills. They are also given the chance to mentor during lessons, offering support to their peers.
Miss E Wilson - Head of Department, lead on Creative Media Diploma
Mr J Boocock - Teacher of Music and Creative Media Diploma
Music at Batley Girls' High School
The Music Department is a lively place that offers a broad curriculum designed to broaden the experiences of all students and give them all a platform to express themselves, as well as develop personally, socially and culturally. They learn different topics that link with every area of the curriculum to support every aspect of their learning as well as subject specific learning. They develop many skills such as team work, independent leaning skills, creative thinking skills and citizenship as well as important Music skill such as reading notation, keyboard skills, composition, performance, listening and appraising skills. They are also given the chance to mentor during lessons, offering support to their peers.
Extra-Curricular Activities
There is a wide range of extra curricular activities provided by departmental staff and peripatetic teachers from the Music service. Currently the offer includes Pop Music Club, Steel Band, Vocal Group, BTEC Music, Percussion club and Music Surgery where students from all years can come along to work on class projects or pursue their own interests.
Kirklees Music Service provides students with the option to carry on with their instrumental tuition when transferring from KS2 to 3, or to take up playing an instrument of their choice. Application forms are kept in the department, or are available from the Music Service. Currently, there are vocal, guitar and woodwind lessons, but the service is flexible to accommodate as many students as possible.
Kirklees Music Service provides students with the option to carry on with their instrumental tuition when transferring from KS2 to 3, or to take up playing an instrument of their choice. Application forms are kept in the department, or are available from the Music Service. Currently, there are vocal, guitar and woodwind lessons, but the service is flexible to accommodate as many students as possible.
Key Stage 3 Music
The Key Stage 3 curriculum develops basic music skills that students then develop through a variety of topics that include Popular Music, Blues, Theme and Variation and Film Music to name but few. Through these topics they learn how music has developed and changed to reflect culture, history and society, and how it is an important part of modern life.
Students are assessed formally at the end of each topic in line with National Curriculum assessment levels through a variety of self, peer and teacher assessments. They learn at their own pace and as well as having targets set by their teacher, they set their own targets and take responsibility for their own progress. To compliment assessment levels, students are also given a corresponding attitude to learning grade, in line with school policy.
Students are assessed formally at the end of each topic in line with National Curriculum assessment levels through a variety of self, peer and teacher assessments. They learn at their own pace and as well as having targets set by their teacher, they set their own targets and take responsibility for their own progress. To compliment assessment levels, students are also given a corresponding attitude to learning grade, in line with school policy.
Key Stage 4 BTEC Music
Currently, BTEC First Certificate in Music is provided as an extra curricular qualification, with a view to placing it in the KS4 options for 2010/11. It comprises of 3 units and is equivalent to 2 GCSE A*-C grades. The first unit is a core unit, where as unit 2 and 3 have been chosen to give students a balanced musical education. In certain circumstances, for example if a student has a particular strength in another area, another unit can be studied.
Unit 1 – Planning and Creating a Music Product
This unit will allow learners to apply skills, knowledge and understanding particular to their specialised discipline through the planning, preparation and/or rehearsal towards a showcase of their work in the form of a public event or an audio CD.
Unit 2 – Working as a Musical Ensemble
This unit will allow learners to become part of a musical team, concentrating on the process of a team working together towards a performance. During lessons students work as part of an ensemble, and this work links to their Unit 1 performance.
Unit 3 - Exploring Musical Improvisation
This unit will focus on the development of the listening skills required when working with improvised music, primarily the ability to respond spontaneously and musically to others.
Unit 1 – Planning and Creating a Music Product
This unit will allow learners to apply skills, knowledge and understanding particular to their specialised discipline through the planning, preparation and/or rehearsal towards a showcase of their work in the form of a public event or an audio CD.
Unit 2 – Working as a Musical Ensemble
This unit will allow learners to become part of a musical team, concentrating on the process of a team working together towards a performance. During lessons students work as part of an ensemble, and this work links to their Unit 1 performance.
Unit 3 - Exploring Musical Improvisation
This unit will focus on the development of the listening skills required when working with improvised music, primarily the ability to respond spontaneously and musically to others.
AS / A2 Performing Arts
At KS5, students study Music as part of the OCR Performing Arts advanced level. The syllabus is currently changing away from assessment through examination to a practical examination and an assess portfolio.