The Gateway School
Music
Music is delivered through small group, paired, or 1:1 interventions to those KS3 and KS4 pupils who show an interest in this area.
During these interventions, students explore a range of musical genres and artists, can learn to play a musical instrument (drums, guitar or keyboard), sing, develop DJ and mixing skills or learn about the technical aspects of making and recording music. Each lesson is 40 minutes long and is offered to pupils on a targeted basis, based on their needs and interests. One intervention per week equates to 5.2 hours per term.
In addition, all students have access, on a carousel basis, to the Expressive Arts: Music module as part of the ASDAN Personal Development Award (Bronze, Silver and Gold). During one academic year, each pupil spends 20.4 hours on music-based activities within this module, equivalent to 6.8 hours per term.
Key Stage 4 pupils are able to select BTEC (National Award) Music as a qualification option. Pupils spend 17.3 hours per term studying towards this qualification.
Music is also available to all students for half an hour at the start and end of each day, delivered through our Teaching Acceptable Behaviour (TAB) curriculum strand, equating to up to 65 hours per term.
NMPAT
We use the services of Northampton Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT) one day a week to deliver music tuition and assist with solo, paired and group performances, and a select number of students visit The Performing Rooms, Northampton as part of their bespoke curriculum.
All pupils at The Gateway School have an Education and Healthcare Plan, which details their areas of need. Consideration of these needs and Special Educational Provision requirements is made when delivering music within school, across all formats.
Extra-Curricular Music
We use the services of Northampton Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT) one day a week to deliver music tuition and assist with solo, paired and group performances, and a select number of students visit The Performing Rooms, Northampton as part of their bespoke curriculum. Pupils and their parents are signposted to Saturday sessions run by NMPAT in the community.
Pupils are able to borrow musical instruments to practice at home on receipt of a consent form signed by parents. This service is free of charge to all pupils, but we expect the pupils to take care of the instruments outside the school environment.
Musical Experiences
Throughout the year, we offer regular opportunities for pupils to showcase their music and dance skills in talent shows and discos. Participation is based on the pupils’ wishes and audiences for talent shows are made of peers within their Key Stage, or the whole school.
Subject Priorities - 1-Year Timescale
- Embed Music and Dance within the Key Stage 3 Curriculum, to be delivered as a regular part of the Year 7-9 timetable and equating to at least one hour per week across an academic year.
- Restructure Music and Dance to be delivered by a teacher, supported by staff with interest and aptitude in this area.
- Develop a relevant, exciting Music and Dance curriculum for Key Stage 3 pupils which engages, enthuses and builds self-esteem and communication skills within our cohort.
- Ensure that all KS3 pupils complete at least three units of the ASDAN Personal Development Award per annum.
Subject Priorities - 2-3 Year Timescale
- Increase the range of instrument tuition offered to pupils.
- Engage with technical specialists within the community to offer targeted interventions based on the technical aspects of making, and delivering, music and choreography.
- Develop opportunities for pupils to showcase their aptitude in Music and Dance to a wider audience both within and outside the school community.
- Forge links within the community to develop potential career pathways for our students within the music and dance industry.