Music
Welcome to Music
“We can never underestimate the power of music, it knows no boundaries of language, race or background. It is the universal language – everyone has a soundtrack to their lives.”
Julian Lloyd Webber, Cellist and Conductor
The music department is a thriving hub of musical development within the school, where students of all abilities are nurtured and given many varied and inspiring musical opportunities.
The department features two large teaching rooms with full class sets of keyboards and performance spaces, and 5 practice rooms. We also have a brand new Mac Suite, comprising 16 computers with industry standard Music technology, and a fully working recording studio.
The department has a wide range of Musical opportunities both in and out of the classroom.
There is also a wide range of instrumental tuition at the school: Brass, strings, woodwind, voice, guitar, drum kit, percussion and piano. Students benefit considerably from these lessons with our highly experienced staff. If you would like further information or to book lessons, please go here.
Curriculum and Qualifications
The KS3 curriculum is designed to enrich students’ knowledge and understanding of music, their composition and their performing skills through a dynamic range of contexts.
At KS4, students have the opportunity to study the OCR GCSE in Music or to study for an equivalent qualification in Music Technology, (NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Music Technology). Details of the specifications for each of these courses can be found here:
GCSE Music - details of the Course Timeline can be found here and the course specification can be found here
NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Music Technology * - current Year 11 only - details of the course can be found here
BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice - details of this course can be found here.
* Note - This qualifications is equivalent to a full course GCSE
Music Development Plan
Here is a summary of how our school delivers music education to all our pupils across three areas – curriculum music, co-curricular provision and musical experiences – and what changes we are planning in future years. This information is to help pupils and parents or carers understand what our school offers and who we work with to support our pupils’ music education.
If you require any further information about the Music programme, please contact Miss Lihou, Lead Teacher of Music at lihouj@uffculmeschool.bep.ac
Extra Curricular Opportunities
Everyday there is something taking place for students. Extra-curricular opportunities include Samba, Soul Band, Choir, Stage and Screen, Brass, Strings and Woodwind groups, all of which run during lunchtimes. These groups also have many local performance opportunities.
In addition to this students can book practice rooms so they can rehearse their own music either individually or as part of a group.
Each week 1-2 performers will be invited to perform at that week’s SLT assemblies - in front of supportive and enthusiastic audiences of up to 450 students and staff.
The department also runs a number of concerts at which individuals and groups are invited to perform, the highlight being the annual UFF-fest - a live music festival held on the school fields each year in July
The current Extra-Curricular Timetable is available to view here