Our vision and values

 

At Greenbank we believe everyone is a musician.

We create, perform and explore music together. We celebrate individuality, develop confidence and inspire a lifelong love of music.

Our Music curriculum reflects Greenbank’s values of Inspire, Care and Achieve. Through practical music-making, pupils develop their skills, creativity and confidence, learn to work collaboratively and are encouraged to achieve their personal best.

 

Our curriculum

 

Music at Greenbank is a practical, inclusive and ambitious subject. Pupils learn by making music: performing, composing, listening and exploring how music works.

Our curriculum is a coherent learning journey in which knowledge and skills are revisited, developed and applied with increasing confidence and independence. Five curriculum pillars underpin learning throughout the subject.

Performing – developing vocal and instrumental skills, accuracy, fluency, expression and confidence as soloists and ensemble musicians.

Creating – improvising, composing and developing musical ideas using voices, instruments and technology.

Reading and Writing Music – understanding and applying musical notation to communicate musical ideas.

Listening and Appraising – identifying musical features, analysing choices and evaluating music using appropriate musical vocabulary.

Musical Contexts – exploring music from different genres, cultures, traditions and historical periods.

These pillars work together. Pupils draw on their musical knowledge, listening and literacy skills when performing and composing, developing as well-rounded musicians.

 

The Greenbank Music Journey

 

Our curriculum journey develops pupils from exploring musical foundations to creating, performing and understanding music with increasing independence.

The Band Project gives pupils the opportunity to learn a wind instrument, developing technique, notation, listening, ensemble awareness and the discipline of regular practice. These skills support learning across the wider curriculum.

Pupils build on these foundations through practical projects exploring keyboard skills, blues, popular music, songwriting, film music, music production, musical theatre and rhythmic traditions. They develop rehearsal, arranging and composition skills while learning to make increasingly independent musical decisions.

Lessons follow Learn • Show • Reflect. Pupils develop new knowledge and skills, demonstrate their understanding through practical and written work, and reflect on their progress. Verbal feedback helps pupils recognise their strengths, address misconceptions and identify how to improve.

 

GCSE Music

 

GCSE Music offers a rewarding combination of practical and creative learning. Pupils develop their musical skills while learning to think creatively, solve problems, analyse information and work independently.

Through the course, pupils build valuable transferable skills, including collaboration, communication, organisation, resilience and self-reflection. These skills support progression to further study and a wide range of future courses, careers and opportunities, whether pupils choose to pursue music professionally or not.

Our current cohorts follow the relevant examination specifications:

• Years 9 and 10: Eduqas GCSE Music.
• Year 11: OCR GCSE Music.

 

 

Assessment and feedback

 

Assessment is an integral part of learning in Music. Teachers use practical performance, composition, listening activities, questioning and written work to identify strengths and address gaps in understanding.

Verbal feedback is central to our teaching. Through live feedback, modelling, questioning and discussion, pupils receive immediate guidance while performing, composing and rehearsing. They are encouraged to respond, refine their work and make improvements as they learn.

Pupils also reflect on their progress and revisit prior learning. At GCSE, assessment and feedback reflect the requirements of the relevant examination board.

 

Instrumental learning and production

 

We want every pupil to experience the achievement of making music. Alongside classroom instrumental learning and the Band Project, pupils can explore opportunities for specialist instrumental and vocal tuition.

Our resources include keyboards, ukuleles, percussion instruments, computers and music production equipment. Pupils use these to develop their musicianship, experiment with musical ideas and explore how music is created, recorded and produced.

 

Extra-curricular Music

 

Music extends beyond the classroom through opportunities to rehearse, perform and collaborate with other musicians.

Our clubs and ensembles include instrumental groups, singing, guitar, jazz, orchestra and music theory, alongside dedicated support for GCSE coursework. These opportunities help pupils develop their skills, confidence and sense of belonging.

All abilities. All year groups. Everyone welcome.

We encourage pupils to get involved, try something new and explore opportunities to perform and experience music beyond school. Further activities and events are developed as opportunities arise.

 

Inclusion and cultural development

 

Music belongs to everyone. We want all pupils to access the curriculum, participate in practical music-making and experience success, regardless of their previous musical experience.

Pupils explore a diverse range of musical styles and traditions, developing an appreciation of different perspectives and the ways music communicates ideas and emotions.

Through performing, composing, listening and working collaboratively, pupils develop creativity, resilience, responsibility and respect for others. Our aim is for every pupil to leave Greenbank with stronger musical skills, a deeper understanding of music and the confidence to continue making and enjoying music throughout their lives.

Learn • Create • Perform • Belong