Academic teaching staff:
Director of Music - Mr Don Gillthorpe BMus (Hons), PGCE, FGMS
Assistant Director of Music - Mr George Picker BMus (Hons), MA, PGCE, MSc (Oxon)
Head of Instrumental Music/Bandmaster - Mr Andy Thornhill MMus, MA, LRSM
Music affords the enviable position of being both practical and academic, and our work in the classroom has equal status with our wide-ranging co-curricular provision. Our carefully sequenced curriculum offers an opportunity to introduce pupils to a broad range of musical worlds, outside of their existing experience as both consumers and performers of music. Use the links below to explore our curriculum.
Our Key Stage 3 Music curriculum develops pupils' musical skills, knowledge, and understanding through engaging, practical lessons built around diverse musical themes and styles. Singing plays a central role in developing audiation skills, and so many of the instrumental units also have a singing element to them, particularly in the early stages of keyboard playing. Singing is also embedded throughout the year in whole-class and whole-school activities.
The curriculum ensures all pupils can access GCSE Music without requiring individual instrumental lessons, though many choose to take advantage of them. Structured workbooks, shared assessments, and regular feedback provide clear progression, while teachers have the flexibility to tailor lessons to their classes.
Music lessons strike a balance between practical and academic learning, with a strong emphasis on aural skills, and instrumental proficiency. Singing, keyboard skills and Western staff notation underpin all practical work, equipping pupils with essential musical literacy and the skills to thrive as musicians.
GCSE Music (Edexcel) offers a dynamic course that develops skills in performing, composing, listening, and appraising. Music is everywhere, whether through streaming, TV, or gaming, and this course allows pupils to explore and deepen their understanding of it. They will be introduced to a broad range of musical styles, from baroque and classical masterworks to music for stage and screen, helping them develop a well-rounded appreciation of music. The course also builds transferable skills valued by employers and universities, making it suitable both as a standalone qualification and as a pathway to A-level music.
Pupils will be assessed in three key areas. Performing, which makes up 30% of the course, involves a solo and an ensemble performance on an instrument or voice, focusing on technical control and interpretation. Composing, also worth 30%, requires pupils to create two original pieces. The remaining 40% comes from listening and appraising, where pupils analyse eight set works from diverse musical styles and cultures. Composers include Bach, Beethoven, Esperanza Spalding, Queen, and John Williams, and understanding is assessed through a final examination. Pupils are expected to be dedicated to their instrument or voice, receive tuition, participate in ensembles, and contribute to the musical life of the College.
A-Level Music (Eduqas) provides excellent preparation for higher education music courses and is also highly beneficial for non-specialists as a contrasting area of study. For those looking to pursue a career in music, it can open doors to diverse careers in performance, composition, teaching, music therapy, publishing, promotion and marketing, journalism, and various other fields within the music industry. We have extensive experience assisting students with university and conservatoire applications, with recent pupils gaining admission to some of the country’s most renowned institutions to study music.
The format is similar to GCSE, with performing, composing and appraising forming the three units of work, but pupils can choose to specialise as either performers or composers, weighting the first two units differently depending on their interests as musicians. The course offers both contrast and depth, engaging pupils with a broad range of music. Pupils will study the development of the symphony, exploring key orchestral works to enhance their understanding of musical elements and language. Additionally, pupils will study the history of of Pop and Rock, as well as a further study exploring the musical language of the early twentieth century.
