The music department provides one main music room, a music practice room and a drum room.
The music room is equipped with 23 applemac computers and an apple lap top. These are installed with logic express which is widely used by the students, and also garage band.
Logic express allows students to produce composition and performance work of a high standard. The work they produce can then be edited and saved onto CD. The programme also allows students to score their work which is an essential requirement at GCSE and above.
Students at KS3 are taught one hourly lesson per week. They learn about a whole variety of music styles and also music from other cultures. These topics are explored through composing, listening and performing activities. All these projects are aimed progressively towards GCSE music and equip students with the skills, knowledge and understanding to follow the GCSE course if they wish.
GCSE music has now grown in popularity, with 23 students following the course in present year 9, and 30 opting to do the course next year. All students are accepted onto the GCSE music course whatever their ability, Students do not have to play an instrument although it is recommended that they do. Students who do not play an instrument can sequence their performances into the computers.
Extra-curricular opportunities are provided after school. These are as follows:
Tuesday School Choir 3:00 – 4:30
Wednesday School Band
Rock band
3:00 – 4:15
3:00 – 4:30
Thursday Rock band
Coursework club
3:00 – 4:30
3:00 – 4:45
Friday Extra coursework Club 3:00 – 4:00
Students may also ask the music department if there is a particular music club they would like to see running. These will be supervised but not necessarily run by the teacher.
The music department also has qualified Instrumental teachers who come to the school to teach drums, guitar, bass guitar, piano/keyboard, singing, brass, woodwind and other instruments according to demand.