Music

Music

The music curriculum offers students a diverse and exciting experience of music. We want to inspire and develop an appreciation and understanding of music from across the canon; including different genres, time periods and cultures. Students will perform, compose and appraise music developing secure knowledge through active music making. By extending and experiencing music making beyond the classroom and into real world environments we hope to help students understand the significance of music within their own environment.

Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST)     

Burnage Academy for Boys is proud to be one of only 30 MiSST partner schools across the UK delivering the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme.

This means that every student attending Burnage Academy for Boys will receive an orchestral instrument and small group tuition for free as part of their regularly timetabled music curriculum. This exciting practical based curriculum is accompanied by a challenging and engaging programme of music theory.

In addition to the outstanding musical learning taking place in our classrooms, the MiSST programme will also include a number of incredible opportunities away from the classroom. These include annual performances at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall in London. 

For September 2026 students will receive either a flute or violin as part of the program.

KS3

Topics covered include:

• Year 7 (in conjunction with MiSST) – Rhythm and Pitch, 5 note melodies, Solo Performance, Reggae
• Year 8 (in conjunction with MiSST) – Keyboard Skills, Solo Performance, Global Jams, Making the Grade, Composition
• Year 9 (in conjunction with MiSST) – Performance Skills, Composition, Film and Game Music, Making the Grade, Samba

KS4

GCSE Music consists of three components, including a final exam:

Component 1: Performance

Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated.

30% of qualification.

A minimum of two pieces, lasting a total of 4-6 minutes.

One piece must be an ensemble (group piece) lasting at least one minute.

You can use any instrument or voice, or choose a technology option.

Component 2: Composition

Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated.

30% of qualification.

Two pieces: One in response to a brief set by the exam board– there are 4 to choose from each year.

One free composition – ANY style you want to write in.

Component 3: Appraising

Exam assessment.

40% of qualification.

Listening examination with 8 questions, 2 on each area of study:

• AoS 1 Musical Forms and Devices (including a set work)
• AoS 2 Music for Ensemble
• AoS 3 Film Music
• AoS 4 Popular Music (including a set work)

Instrumental Lessons

Students can receive one-to-one tuition on a musical instrument through our specialist peripatetic teachers.

We currently offer instrumental lessons on:

• Guitar (acoustic, electric and bass)
• Piano
• Drum kit
• Orchestral strings – violin, viola
• Woodwind – clarinet, flute

Music Department

• Ms L. Ford - Head of Performing Arts

• Mr C. Fields - Music Teacher