At Swanwick School and Sports College we encourage students to actively take part in Music, experiencing as many different forms as possible.
Music within the Primary department consists of 1 session a week delivered by the Derby and Derbyshire Music partnership. Pupils take part in regular singing and learn to play a range of percussion instruments including Handbells, Djembes, Bamboo Tamboo and Steelpan Drums. The Primary classes also make trips to concerts and receive live performances in school. Primary have termly performance opportunities and work towards a Primary production which take place in the Summer 1 term.
For our Nurture Pathways, both KS3 and KS4, Music is taught through the Expressive Arts and Design curriculum where pupils experience weekly music lessons. Nurture follow a topic based curriculum where all Expressive Arts and Design lessons have a topical focus. Pupils explore a variety of instruments and develop both singing and playing skills. Pupils are given half-termly performance opportunities and work towards a Nurture production which takes place in the Spring 2 term.
Over the course of the academic year pupils will cover the topics of:
Term 1 – Caves to Castles
Term 2 – Power of Nature
Term 3 – Farm to Fork
Term 4 – Travel and Transport (Production)
Term 5 – World of Difference
Term 6 – Animal Kingdom
In Key Stage 3, Music is woven into the Theme curriculum which offers pupils an environment to explore music through a half-termly theme. Pupils explore a range of instruments whilst developing knowledge and skills in singing, movement, genres and history.
Over the course of the academic year pupils will cover the themes of:
Term 1 - Black History
Term 2 - Diwali
Term 3 - Japan
Term 4 - Environment
Term 5 - 1950s
Term 6 - Production
We provide students with the platform to express themselves in a highly creative form and take huge pride in their achievements. Pupils are offered a performance opportunity each term to demonstrate their learning as part of a KS3 Theme assembly.
All of these topics of study are echoed by the National Curriculum. We also offer Key Stage 4 Arts Award Qualifications for students who wish to continue their musical development.