Music Development Plan

The Castle School Music Development Plan Summary

Overview

Academic year covered: 2025–2026

Date published: September 2025

Date to be reviewed: August 2026

Music Lead: Nicholas Adams

School Leadership link: Jamie Wordsworth

Local Music Hub: Sound Foundation Somerset

Other partnerships: Peripatetic teachers, Music Hub, Local Primary Schools, external ensembles, theatre and concert venues

Part A: Curriculum Music

The Castle School delivers one hour of curriculum music weekly to all KS3 pupils, fully aligned with the National Curriculum and guided by the Model Music Curriculum (MMC).

Curriculum intent focuses on inclusion, musical skills development (listening, appraising, performing, composing), and exposure to a broad repertoire including Western Classical, world music and popular music.

The KS3 curriculum follows a structured sequence of 6 Schemes of Work per year, rotating to ensure equal access to specialist spaces and instruments. Pupils experience whole-class instrumental learning (keyboards, guitars, djembe, band instruments), sequencing software (Cubase, Dorico), singing, notation reading, and ensemble playing.

Music technology is embedded throughout: digital audio workstations, sampling, audio recording, quantisation, automation and composition software.

Accessibility & SEND: Learning is scaffolded using modelling, differentiated parts, layered ensembles, visual notation, and varied task entry points. Technology allows alternative access routes for pupils with physical/learning needs.

Qualifications offered: GCSE Music and BTEC pathways are available at KS4

Part B: Co-curricular Music

The school offers extensive co-curricular musical opportunities beyond timetabled lessons, supporting musical progression, community involvement and personal development.

Instrumental/vocal tuition: Free tuition for FSM pupils; subsidised or promoted options for others. Tuition available on brass, woodwind, strings, voice, drums, guitar and piano.

Ensembles: Choirs (mixed year groups), Orchestra, Mini Orchestra, Woodwind group, Steel Pan Group, Indonesian Gamelan workshops, Rock/Pop bands. Ensemble membership is open and free.

Progression opportunities: Students can borrow instruments, attend after-school rehearsals, and enter graded exams or performance events. Technology clubs support composition and production.

Facilities: 4 practice rooms, 2 classrooms with breakout spaces, digital mixing desk, PA system, microphones, MIDI keyboards, ukuleles, percussion, guitars and digital audio workstations.

Part C: Musical Experiences

The school provides rich musical experiences that broaden cultural understanding and support lifelong engagement in music.

Regular school performances: Christmas Concert, Community Concert, The Gig, School Musical, Summer Showcase. All students have opportunities to participate or support technically.

Live music experiences: All Year 7 pupils attend a professional musical theatre performance each year, with accompanying workshops (vocals, dance, props). Further trips take students to concerts, orchestras and theatres.

Visiting professionals: Royal Marines Band Service, National Youth Orchestra, Somerstage, ActionTrack, acapella groups, vocal coaches, composers/musicians deliver workshops.

In the Future

Plans include:

  • Strengthening alignment with MMC and expanding KS3 depth across composition, performance and technology.

  • Increasing instrument lesson uptake for all pupils.

  • Introducing new ensembles (e.g., contemporary music tech band, world music groups).

  • Expanding live experience opportunities including more cross-school and community events.

  • Developing further use of Cubase, sampling, notation software and recording studios.

  • Enhancing assessment through consistent video/audio evidence and trust-wide criteria.