At Key Stage 3, students explore a host of musical genres and styles practically through performance, composition, listening and appraising. Students use their voice, percussion instruments, keyboards, music technology and their own instrumental disciplines to succeed and develop as musicians.
Year 7
Curriculum
Rhythm & Pulse
This unit introduces pupils’ awareness to the importance of pulse and rhythm as a fundamental upon which music is built and performed.
Voiceworks
This unit develops pupils’ ability to explore the voice through singing a wide range of different types and styles of songs, developing their ability to sing music in two (or more) parts.
Pentatonic
In this unit, pupils will develop an awareness of the pentatonic scale and how it is used in different musical traditions to make a wide range of instrumental and vocal music
Music for Special Occasions
In this unit pupils consider musical elements and factors which affect composers’ response to a commission and explore the contextual and musical features required for writing a piece of music for a special occasion or event.
Introduction to Sequencing
In this unit pupils develop their understanding and confidence in using Logic Pro X software (industry standard recording studio software) to produce a range of musical performances and compositions for multiple instruments.
British Folk Music
During this unit, pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of folk music as a musical genre, listening to examples of folk music from different times and different places and compare the use of instruments, musical elements and compositional devices used.
Assessment
In Year 7 Units of Work students are assessed regularly in Performing, Composing and Listening & Understanding during solo and ensemble classroom activities. In this way students are confident and comfortable with the methods of assessment required in music during KS4 and KS5 should they wish to continue studying it. The results of these assessments are shared with students so that they are fully aware of their attainment levels, setting appropriate targets to help reach their end-of-year expected levels.
Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)
Details of the PPA will be uploaded soon. Six PPA sheets will be posted over the course of this year, each representing a half-term.
Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, in order to view activities and discussion points for music. You can log in with the following details:
User: isleworthtw75lj
Pass: theday
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 8 curriculum.
- MusicTheory.net – a useful website that will help with music theory
- BBC Bitesize: KS3 Music – an informative website with information on different musical styles and well known composers.
- NyphilKids.org – a fun and informative website about the orchestra with quizzes and games.
Year 8
Curriculum
Blues
Explores the history of blues and its influence on today’s music.
Form & Structure
This unit explores simple form and structure, enabling students to create and develop their own musical ideas whilst also developing confidence to recognise different structures whilst analysing a wide range of musical styles.
Space Music
This unit begins by exploring Holst’s ‘The Planets’ to explore the connection between Music and Space and to provide a stimulus for creative composition work.
Melody & Ostinato
Focuses on how composers combined ranges and patterns of notes to create an intended outcome.
Gamelan
This unit introduces pupils to the timbres, rhythms, melodies and structure of the Indonesian Gamelan.
Film Music
During this unit, pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of the challenges and musical devices used in film soundtrack composition.
Assessment
In Year 8 Units of Work students are assessed regularly in Performing, Composing and Listening & Understanding during solo and ensemble classroom activities. In this way students are confident and comfortable with the methods of assessment required in music during KS4 and KS5 should they wish to continue studying it. The results of these assessments are shared with students so that they are fully aware of their attainment levels, setting appropriate targets to help reach their end-of-year expected levels.
Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)
Details of the PPA will be uploaded soon. Six PPA sheets will be posted over the course of this year, each representing a half-term.
Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, in order to view activities and discussion points for music. You can log in with the following details:
User: isleworthtw75lj
Pass: theday
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 8 curriculum.
- MusicTheory.net – a useful website that will help with music theory
- BBC Bitesize: KS3 Music – an informative website with information on different musical styles and well known composers.
- ClassicsforKids.com – a creative website where students can compose their own music without any additional software at home.
Year 9
Curriculum
African Drumming & Minimalism
This unit develops pupils’ understanding of polyrhythmic music and contemporary minimalist styles exploring how different polyrhythmic textures and musical conventions are used by minimalist composers including the use of repetitive and changing rhythmic and melodic motifs in different styles of minimalist music.
Ground Bass
This unit explores how composers from the Baroque era developed the concept of Ground Bass to create and develop entire complex pieces of music, a process used by many of today’s top composers and producers.
The Popular Song
Pupils learn about different musical devices used in popular songs including application of music technology and techniques to achieve contrasting textures, moods and styles.
Reggae & Latin American Music
This unit introduces pupils to the timbres, rhythms, melodies and structure of Reggae and Latin American Music, their respective roots and how they have contributed to popular music across the world.
Fusion
During this unit, pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of the techniques, challenges and musical devices used in musical fusion using a range of popular and world music.
Assessment
In Year 9 Units of Work, students are assessed regularly in Performing, Composing and Listening & Understanding during solo and ensemble classroom activities. In this way students are confident and comfortable with the knowledge and skills required for the study of GCSE music should they wish to continue studying it. The results of these assessments are shared with students so that they are fully aware of their attainment levels, setting appropriate targets to help reach their key stage expected levels.
Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)
Details of the PPA will be uploaded soon. Six PPA sheets will be posted over the course of this year, each representing a half-term.
Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, in order to view activities and discussion points for music. You can log in with the following details:
User: isleworthtw75lj
Pass: theday
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 9 curriculum.
- MusicTheory.net – a useful website that will help with music theory
- BBC Bitesize: KS3 Music – an informative website with information on different musical styles and well known composers.
- Incredibox – a website that helps students understand some compositional techniques.