Music

Why do we study Music?

Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them - a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement.
- Gerald R. Ford

Practical music making is at the heart of every music lesson at Mangotsfield School. Our vision is to demonstrate passion and enjoyment in music to encourage every child to love learning, and love music.

Through music, students develop a wide range of linguistic and logical skills, as well as developing their confidence, resilience and empathy through performance and creativity through sound.

We love for students to be excited, enthusiastic and energetic when they arrive in their music classroom. We wish to embrace that excitement, and give them the opportunity to apply all of their knowledge through practical performance.

Meet the team

• Ms Leah West (Head of Music) 
• Mr Ed Hipkins

KS3 Programme of Study

Year 7

Term 1: Rhythm and Pitch - Instrumental skills (Paired Keyboard and Whole class drumming )

Term 2: Rhythm and Pitch -Finding Your Voice ( Whole class singing ) 

Term 3: Melody + Instrumentation - Melodic Riffs (Paired Keyboard and  Individual composition )

Term 4: Melody + Instrumentation: Orchestral Stories ( Individual/ Paired computer  composition ) 

Term 5: Harmony and Parodies -  Chords ( whole class Ukulele ensemble ) 

Term 6: Harmony and Parodies - Lyric writing and performance (Group performance ) 

Year 8

Term 1: Rhythm and Melody: Music 4 Gaming ( Individual/ Paired computer  composition )

Term 2: Rhythm and Melody:  Instrumental skills  ( whole class chair  and guitar ensemble ) 

Term 3: Harmony and Melody - Pop  Melody ( Individual/ Paired performance and  composition )

Term 4: Harmony and Melody -  Triadic Melody

Term 5: Structure and Harmony - 12 bar blues  

Term 6 Structure and Harmony -  Rap Music

Year 9

Term 1: Rhythm and Harmony: All about the Bass Instrumental Skills ( Individual/ paired bass ) 

Term 2: Rhythm and Harmony: All about the Bass Technology ( Paired computer composition ) 

Term 3: Just Play: Band Skills: Instrumental skills ( Musical futures whole class ensemble ) 

Term 4: Just Play: Band Skills: Cover Songs ( Musical Futures small groups ) 

Term 5: Melody and storytelling  : Film Music ( Individual/ paired computer composition ) 

Term 6: Melody and storytelling: Musical Products (Individual/ Paired or small groups performance) 

Course: Rock School Ltd. Level 2 Certificate Music Practitioners

Students can choose either a ‘Technology & Composition’ or a ‘Performance’ pathway, depending on their strengths.

Technology & Composition Pathway

This course entails students learning how to compose their own music through the use of a Digital Audio Workstation (such as Logic Pro or GarageBand). They then develop a range of pieces of music, demonstrating their ability to use technology to manipulate and edit sounds in order to become a creative piece of music, in a style of their choice. This pathway leads well to the Level 3 Music Practitioner course, or A Level Music Technology. If students also commit to developing their theoretical knowledge of notation and reading music, this also leads well to the A Level Music course.

Performance Pathway

This course entails students developing their instrumental skills on their choice of instrument. They spend the first year developing and reflecting upon their skills within their instrument, and building a repertoire of their music. This then leads well into their final year, where they perform a 10-15 minute recital in front of an audience. This pathway leads well to the Level 3 Music Practitioner Course or any Level 3 Performance Course. If students also commit to developing their theoretical knowledge of notation and reading music, this also leads well to the A Level Music course.

The RSL Music Practitioner course has no final written exam, and is built around a portfolio across the two years. There is an external assessment in the 2nd year which will be marked externally, but there will be no exam.

GCSE Programme of Study

Year 10

This first year focuses on developing pupils' understanding of the following Areas of study.  

1. Musical Forms and Devices
2. Music For Ensembles 
3. Film Music 
4. Popular Music 

For each area pupils will develop their skills by completing performance. production, composition and listening tasks. 

Year 11 

This final year focuses on pupils utilising the skills and development in Yr10 to  complete 

Component 1 Performing-  30%

• A minimum of two pieces 
• One must be an ensemble  of at least one  minute duration
• The other piece(s) may be either solo and/or ensemble. 
• One of the pieces performed must link to an area of study of your choice.

Component 2  Composition - 30% (total recommended playing time of 3-6 minutes) 

• One composition which responds to a set brief issued by WJEC in   September, for submission in the following summer.
•  One  free composition, in a style and with a brief of your own choice.

Listening and appraising - 40%                                                                                                

• 1hr 15mins 
• Sat in the  music classroom 
• 8 questions
• 2 Set works  for Q1 and Q7
• Linked to 4 areas of study     

Resources

Two classrooms fully equipped with keyboards
Music computer suite using Soundtrap A KS3 and Cubase at KS3
Whole class set of Ukuleles and Guitars
Whole class set of Djembe Drums and percussion
5 Practice Rooms equipped with a Drum kit and Piano each
A full range of orchestral instruments for hire
Musical Futures Online
No specific textbooks. Mangotsfield School Resources.

Homework

KS3 Homework is based heavily around literacy and music in order to build a solid understanding of the terminology in music, and how we can talk about music.

KS4 Homework is based around instrumental practice and portfolio work.

Enrichment Opportunities in Music

There are a wide variety of extra curricular activities run by the Music Department.

Before School: 

Practice Room bookings available to practice independently and in groups.

After School:

Choir
Rock School Groups
Music Technology / DJing
After school practice room booking

Trips and Visits:

Connections with Further Education such as visits to and from UWE and BIMM.
Trips to Bristol Hippodrome to see musicals
Visits From WEMA Ensembles for Live music performances. 

Trips to West of Music choir events. 

Instrumental Tuition 

We provide instrumental Tuition in the following instruments through our local music service WEMA 

Singing 

Drum Kit  

Keyboard and/or Piano

Electric, Acoustic and Bass Guitar

Flute 

If there is  enough interest we could provide a Brass teacher ( cornet, trumpet, trombone & Tuba) or strings teacher ( violin, viola, cello, double bass).

Information about how to book lessons can be found here

Please contact Mrs West if your child is receiving income-based Pupil Premium funding or has an EHCP we can arrange for funding assistance.  

Music Development

We are committed to ensuring that our music provision meet the needs of the National Plan for Music and publish a Summary of our Music Development Plan here

2025 Mangotsfield School Music Development Plan Summary