Creative and technical · KS3 & KS4
Music
This curriculum develops pupils as musicians, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject as a platform for a lifelong connection with music.
2026/27 at a glance
Each year is split into Autumn, Spring and Summer. Scroll sideways on small screens, or use the year-by-year detail below.
| Year | Autumn | Spring | Summer |
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| Year 7KS3 |
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| Year 8KS3 |
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| Year 9KS3 |
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| Year 10KS4 |
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| Year 11KS4 |
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Year by year
Year 7 Key Stage 3
Autumn
- Making music together Building confidence and enjoyment, so pupils see themselves as musicians.
- Taiko drumming Performing and composing as an ensemble, and the energy of pulse and rhythm.
- Keyboard fundamentals A working understanding of the keyboard to explore sound and musical ideas.
Spring
- Fundamental drum grooves Using a DAW to compose, and the features of a simple rock beat.
- Orchestral melodies The instruments of the orchestra.
- Minimalist composition The context and main features of minimalist music.
Summer
- Folk songs from around the world Folk music from around the world, including sea shanties and Russian folk dance.
- Fills and variation in RnB drum grooves Adding fills and variation to a basic groove.
- Year 7 song guides Songs that develop vocal technique, expression, ensemble skills and musical literacy.
Year 8 Key Stage 3
Autumn
- Atmospheric music Programmatic and descriptive music and how music sets the scene.
- Djembe drumming and rhythms from the regions of West Africa Djembe technique and the structure and conventions of West African drumming.
- The 12-bar blues The features of blues music and the roles of instruments in a blues band.
Spring
- EDM remixing The features of electronic dance music and how they create a danceable groove.
- Minor, major and developing keyboard skills Major and minor scales and what makes music memorable.
- Reggaeton: from Puerto Rico to global phenomenon The context and influences of reggaeton.
Summer
- Year 8 song guides Songs that develop vocal technique, expression, ensemble skills and musical literacy.
- Year 8 song guides 2 Songs that develop vocal technique, expression, ensemble skills and musical literacy.
Year 9 Key Stage 3
Autumn
- Harmonic progressions and bass lines Ground bass and triadic harmony.
- Film music How composers use music to shape mood, atmosphere and storytelling.
- Samba music Samba drumming as an ensemble, its technique, structure and conventions.
Spring
- Samba music Samba as Brazilian dance and music, including batucada.
- Working out pop hooks and riffs by ear Working out melodies from pop and rock songs by ear.
- The sound of 90s grunge The context and influences of 90s grunge.
Summer
- Year 9 song guides Songs that develop vocal technique, expression, ensemble skills and musical literacy.
- Year 9 song guides 2 Songs that develop vocal technique, expression, ensemble skills and musical literacy.
- Recreating classic hip hop by ear (optional) [Summary to add]
Year 10 Key Stage 4
Autumn
- Introduction to film music [Summary to add]
- Introduction to pop music [Summary to add]
- Developing understanding of pop music: rock, blues and rock 'n' roll [Summary to add]
Spring
- Rhythms and conventions of Latin and Caribbean music [Summary to add]
- Extending understanding of pop music: pop ballads and modern pop [Summary to add]
- Extending understanding in film music: video game music [Summary to add]
Summer
- Musical theatre [Summary to add]
- Free composition: creative starting points [Summary to add]
- Free composition: extending ideas [Summary to add]
Year 11 Key Stage 4
Autumn
- Composing to a brief: creative starting points Composing to a brief and generating strong starting points.
- Composing to a brief: extending ideas Developing compositions in response to a brief.
- Understanding melody and harmony [Summary to add]
Spring
- Solo performance Solo performance with accuracy, technical control and interpretation.
- Timbre and texture in music around the world [Summary to add]
- Understanding metre, rhythm, dynamics and articulation [Summary to add]
Summer
- Composition exemplars: advanced techniques Analysing exemplar compositions for advanced techniques.
- Ensemble performance Analysing ensemble performances for strengths and areas to improve.
- Composition exemplars: completing a composition How composers complete and refine a finished piece.