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Welcome to Music at NUAST!

Name of the school music lead:

Mr Carl Atkin (Deputy Headteacher) - CAtkin@nuast.org

Curriculum music

NUAST is a Science and Technology Specialist Academy. Whilst this is the case, we ensure that our curriculum remains broad and balanced and that we offer the full range of National Curriculum subjects for Key Stage 3 students.

Whilst very much in its infancy, our curriculum intent for Music is to develop students’ passion for music through listening, composing and performing. Students will develop their cultural understanding of musical conventions from across the world and will explore these through the use of instruments and voice. They will have the opportunity to discover and develop their own musical preferences as well as to appreciate the musical preferences of others. At NUAST, we believe that music provides students with many transferable skills including confidence, inclusivity, creativity, collaboration, resilience, and a strong sense of identity within the world around them.

Currently, our music provision is delivered by our Deputy Headteacher who is a music specialist with over 26 years teaching experience. This provision is being enhanced within Year 7 with an hour a week allocated throughout the full year. During 2024-25, the provision will be rapidly expanded to include Year 8 and 9 through the appointment of an additional music teacher.

Students will have opportunity to perform, listen to and compose music. They will develop instrumental skills on the keyboard and on a range of tuned and un-tuned percussion instruments, whilst experiencing a wide range of genres and music from around the world. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of key concepts including, melody, tonality and harmony, composition, rhythm and pulse, technology and sequencing. This will be covered through topics on Blues, African Music, TV and Film Music, and Reggae.

During the academic year we intend to develop our Music provision so that it enhances our STEM specialism by providing opportunities for students to experience using Digital Audio Workstation industry standard software, whilst making strong connections with music and media industry experts in Nottingham city.

Year 7 2024-25

Co-curricular music:

At NUAST we have established instrumental lessons for students wishing to study and practice an instrument of their choice. We offer this in partnership with the City Music Hub and currently students can learn the following through this provision:

Brass
Strings
Woodwind
Keys
Vocal
Guitar

It is intended that during 24/25 students who are in receipt of pupil premium funding may also be eligible for subsidised instrumental lesson tuition. Further information on how parents and carers can access instrumental lessons at NUAST for their child can be found here - https://www.nottinghammusichub.org.uk/schools/Lessons-in-school-Direct-Parent-Billing

At NUAST performance opportunities are identified, including during celebration events and assemblies. This is planned to be widened to include more instrumentalists and ensembles where students can make music together. Additionally, NUAST is part of the Nova Trust Orchestra, where individual instrumentalists can come together with other students from across the Nova Education Trust to be part of high profile public performances and events.

Musical experiences:

This is about all the other musical events and opportunities that we organise, such as singing in assembly, concerts and shows, and trips to professional concerts.

Students will have the opportunity to be part of the Nova Trust Orchestra and attend rehearsals and performances at least 3 times per year.

Additionally, we are introducing an expectation that musical performances will be part of all celebration assemblies which occur every half term (6 performance opportunities per year).

Throughout 24/25 we will be rapidly building our connections with local venues and institutions so that students will have access to a number of live performances and industry experts, including Confetti Studios (https://confetti.ac.uk/locations/nottingham/) and The Theatre Royal/Royal Concert Hall Nottingham (https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/)

We are also broadening our provision by offering more instruments to be learned and by using external professionals and groups to assist with ensemble and choir workshops and performances. Additionally, we are planning to involve the entire Year 7 cohort in a Young Voices Choir Performance at the Utilita Arena, Sheffield on the 10th January 2025.

The plan for 24/25:

Autumn 2024

Re-purpose office space next to the main music room as a practice room for instrumentalists.

Advertise and appoint additional music teaching capacity to meet the demands of KS3.

Increase the number of instrumentalists involved in the Nova Trust Orchestra.

Resource the music department to be able to deliver specialist areas associated with Music Technology and iMedia.

Ensure at least one live performance experience for Year 7 students.

Ensure at least two performance opportunities for instrumentalists across all key stages.

Expand music instrumental teaching so that Year 7 students are able to continue the instrumental teaching they received in their primary schools.

Instigate ensemble opportunities with the support of colleagues from the Nottingham City Music hub.

Spring 2025

Adjust curriculum allocation to ensure Year 8 and 9 mirrors Year 7 and allows for one hour of music per week.

Ensure at least one live performance experience for Year 7 students.

Ensure at least two performance opportunities for instrumentalists.

Summer 2025

Develop links with the Theatre Royal/Concert Hall in Nottingham as well as Confetti Studios to ensure students receive valuable and relevant musical experiences.

Review the curriculum offer for KS3 so that it continues to evolve and meet cohort needs for the future, including preparation for a Music Technology course at KS4.

Further information:

Our Music Hub for Nottingham City has further information on the services they provide and can be found here – https://www.nottinghammusichub.org.uk

The Department for Education has also published a guide for parents and young people on how they can get involved in music in and out of school, and where they can go to for support beyond the school.