Our Music Vision

The vision for the LRS Music Department is to create a stimulating and exciting learning environment where students develop their confidence, skills and knowledge through composition, listening and performance. The curriculum focusses on the three skills of listening, composition and composition that will ultimately be examined on should students choose Music G.C.S.E as an option.

Individual instrumental tuition is provided by specialist visiting music staff provided by the Jersey Music Service during normal school hours and most popular instruments are offered. Lessons can be applied for via the Jersey Music Service website.

Year 7 & 8 students have 1 hour of class music per week for half of the year rotating with Dance. Year 9 students have one hour for the whole year. Year 10 students have three hours per week and Year 11 students two hours.

Our Curriculum

Students learn Ukulele, African drumming, piano keyboard skills and singing. There is a focus on a ‘Musician of The Fortnight’ programme to expand our listening repertoire and understanding of musical conventions and genres and an ‘Instrument of The Week’ programme to teach recognition of the most common musical instruments.

A typical lesson will begin with a written starter activity, answering questions about the previous weeks work and areas of listening to consolidate long term memory and to embed musical vocabulary. The second half of the lesson will focus on instrumental performance.

For the KS4 course breakdown, please see the Options Booklet.

How do we assess at KS3?

Weekly written revision and assessment takes place with targeted questioning. There is also a written starter activity every lesson that requires the understanding and embedding of key words, music theory, musical genres and listening appraisal. Practical skills are auditioned individually in the class and in small groups in special ‘break -out’ rehearsal rooms.

See the Music Assessment Criteria below.

How do we support your child?

Mr Hiles, the Head of Music is always available for support via email for parents (a.hiles@lrs.sch.je) and has an open-door policy for students at morning break and lunchtime.