Music

Music at Lighthouse School

Why is it important to our students’ futures?

Music gives all our students an opportunity to express themselves – no matter their communication level. Music can remove barriers and allows students to recognise and express their emotions. Many Lighthouse students struggle to tolerate non-preferred music, and this is a key focus for lessons. Students listen, analyse, and appreciate a wide-range of music from different genres. This gives them an appreciation of music – even if it does not completely align with their tastes. Students develop a deep and rich understanding of the musical cultural heritage – and its links to history, geography, and technology. This gives students a rich understanding of the world around them through the study of music.

What does Music look like in Lighthouse School?

• We have a spiral curriculum that supports our learners in retaining learning and building on concepts. Each year in KS3 has a theme – story telling through music, structure/unstructured music, and the emotions of music. The structure is also consistent, with the year starting with analysis and exposure to music, development of theoretical musical understanding, before students improve their performance skills and finally compose a piece that falls under the theme.
• We deliver Arts Awards Explore – Silver (equivalent to Entry Level 1 to Level 2).
• Students are taught to use GarageBand (using our Macbooks and a MIDI keyboard) to produce their own music.
• Students perform using a wide-range of instruments – including piano, percussion, and guitar.
• Students who are learning a particular instrument are often provided additional sessions outside of Music lessons. For example, one of our students is given weekly guitar lessons by a member of staff.

What visitors/enrichment activities take place in the subject?

• Our music teacher was the lead singer for a successful band who had a Top 40 album! He often talks about his experiences with the students.
• Students have produced and sold an album of their songs.
• Students have performed at Talent Shows and audience What have students gone on to achieve in the subject? All students have achieved or exceeded their target qualification in Music. Multiple students have participated successfully in the Young Songwriters Competition. In music lessons, we identified a student who had perfect pitch – without having had any theoretical training. We have loaned the student a school keyboard so that they can continue to pursue and foster this talent.

Music Curriculum: