KS3

Music is probably the only real magic I have encountered in my life. There's not some trick involved with it. It's pure and it's real. It moves, it heals, it communicates and does all these incredible things.

How are our music lessons at KS3 structured?

All the students from Year 7 until Year 9 have two music lessons weekly. I'm working in three weeks slots. Three weeks of a theory and then three weeks of practical lessons.

What is behind the word theory? Don't expect any notation, history of music and harmony skills. For this kind of knowledge is enough time during the IGCSE music studies. Let me give you an example. Year 9 / topic Polyrhythm and minimalism ... on the beginning we're sitting in a circle, stomping beat ... steady beat ... I'm showing them, using quiet noisy percussion instrument, what polyrhythm and hemiola are ... then working in the groups my students get 15 minutes to create a rhythmical piece which includes polyrhythm and hemiola ... and then? Then they can get some A or A* ( and yes, sometimes also B )

What is behind the words practical lessons? This is the most unique but also challenging part of Park Lane music education. It's not necessary and no other school, which is following British National Curriculum does it. I just thought, four years ago , that to have a class band - this is the memory, which could stay in my students' lives forever. It's incredibly challenging for us all, but this brings into our lessons a lot of fun, hard work and enthusiasm.

Long term plan for Y7.

Long Term Plan for Year 8