Year 7 - Finding your musical voice

At Warlingham, our Key Stage 3 Music curriculum is all about creativity, performance and discovery. From the very first lesson, students explore how music connects people, cultures and emotions — all while building the skills to perform, compose and listen. We value teamwork and communication skills as an integral part of music making. 

Students begin their musical journey by exploring the performance of popular music, learning what makes a truly great performance! They’ll take a great pop song with chords, a bass line, a rhythm track and vocals 

Key Questions: 

• What makes a great song? 
• How are great melodies and great pieces of music constructed? 

You’ll learn to: 

• Create and arrange well-known melodies. 
• Perform confidently on keyboard, ukulele, using your voice as well as on guitars, drum kits and percussion. 
• Explore music from Classical to Pop, developing your sense of style and expression. 

Year 8 - Music without borders

In Year 8, students take their musical ideas global! They’ll start by looking at the context of the roots of popular music – The Blues, before diving into the vibrant rhythms of music from around our world and creating their own music theatre compositions that blend popular influences. 

Key Questions: 

• What impact did the Blues have upon the development of popular music? 
• What music from around our world inspires you? 
• Can you perform music theatre repertoire and compose your own song from a musical? 

You’ll learn to: 

• Develop structure and variation in your compositions. 
• Explore world music and cross-cultural influences. 

Perform well-known Classical and Popular repertoire on keyboards and other instruments.

Year 9 - Music and the modern world

Year 9 brings together everything students have learned and deepens musical knowledge through performing music from the C.20th in a Minimalist style. We then venture in the huge market of Music and Media and explore what makes great music for different media and we end our Key Stage 3 Musical journey performing and exploring great popular music through performance and composition. 

Key Questions: 

• What the heck is all this noise? Why is minimalist music like this? 

• How much of an impact does Music have in everyday life on the internet, films, and adverts? 
• Which popular songs inspire you to perform or produce? 

You’ll learn to: 

• Compose and arrange music for film and media. 
• Create original popular music. 
• Rehearse and perform iconic film themes and pop songs as part of an ensemble or soloist. 

At every stage, Music at Warlingham gives students the tools, confidence and inspiration to express themselves, perform with pride, and explore the incredible diversity of music in our world. 

WJEC Eduqas GCSE in Music 

If you love music — whether that’s performing, creating your own tracks, or just discovering how songs are made — then GCSE Music is for you! 

This course gives you the chance to explore music in all its forms, from classical to film soundtracks to your favourite pop and band tracks. You’ll learn how music works, why it moves people, and how to make it your own. 

• Here’s what you’ll get to do: 
  Perform — show off your skills as a solo performer and as part of a group. Build confidence and learn how to communicate musically with style and control. 
• Compose — create your own music using instruments or music tech, developing your imagination and creativity. 
• Listen & Appraise — discover how music is put together, learn to spot key features of different genres, and understand how music has developed over time. 

You’ll study four exciting areas of music: 

1. Musical Forms and Devices – get to grips with the building blocks of music through classical pieces that have inspired musicians for centuries. 
2. Music for Ensemble – dive into the world of bands, choirs, and small groups, exploring how musicians work together to create amazing textures and sounds. 
3. Film Music – explore how music transforms movies, builds tension, and makes those emotional scenes unforgettable. 

4. Popular Music – from rock and pop to musical theatre and video game soundtracks, see how modern music connects with everyday life. 

Throughout the course, you’ll develop your creativity, build confidence, and gain real musical skills that’ll stay with you forever. Whether you dream of performing, producing, or just want to understand music on a deeper level, GCSE Music is your chance to make it happen. 

WJEC Eduqas A Level Music 

If music is your passion — whether you’re a performer, composer, or just love exploring how music works — A Level Music gives you the opportunity to take your skills and creativity to the next level. 

This course is all about developing you as a musician: understanding how music is made, performed, and appreciated in a wide range of styles. You’ll become confident in expressing yourself through performance, composing your own pieces, and analysing the music you hear every day. 

• You’ll: 
  Perform – refine your skills as a soloist and ensemble musician, learning how to communicate style, emotion, and interpretation with confidence. 
• Compose – write your own music using a wide range of techniques, styles, and technology, developing your creativity and understanding of musical structure. 
• Appraise – listen with purpose, studying key works and genres to understand how music has evolved and why it connects with audiences across time. 

The course combines classical and popular music, offering both depth and variety. You’ll study: 

• The Development of the Symphony – explore iconic orchestral works and how they shaped Western music, then use what you’ve learned to compose your own piece. 
• Pop and Rock, Musical Theatre, or Jazz – choose the path that suits your interests and discover how these genres have influenced modern music. 
• Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Music – delve into the sounds and ideas that have defined more recent musical innovations. 

A Level Music gives you flexibility to specialise in what you love most — you can focus more deeply on either performing or composing, depending on your strengths. 

Throughout the course, you’ll develop creativity, discipline, and analytical skills that are valued in both the music industry and beyond. Whether you dream of a career in performance, production, composition, or simply want to understand music on a professional level, A Level Music is your chance to make your passion your focus. 

Pearson A Level Music Technology

If you’re passionate about creating, recording, or producing music, A Level Music Technology is your chance to turn that interest into real, hands-on skills. This course blends creativity with cutting-edge technology, giving you the tools to bring your musical ideas to life in the studio. 

You’ll learn how to: 

• Record and Produce – master the art of recording live instruments and vocals, use professional studio equipment, and create polished, high-quality mixes. 
• Create and Compose – develop your own tracks using synthesis, sampling, and sequencing, combining musical imagination with technical skill 
•  Listen and Analyse – discover how producers and artists across different eras and genres have shaped the sound of music through technology. 

The course covers a wide range of styles — from classic rock and pop to modern electronic and film music — helping you understand how music production has evolved and how you can shape its future. 

You’ll explore topics such as: 

• The history and development of music technology 
• Multitrack recording and mixing techniques 
• Sound design, sampling, and synthesis 
• The role of the producer in shaping music across genres 

A Level Music Technology is ideal for anyone who wants to combine musical creativity with technical expertise. It’s perfect preparation for university courses or careers in music production, sound engineering, composition, broadcasting, or the wider creative industries. 

By the end of the course, you’ll have a strong portfolio of original work — and the confidence to take your music to the next level.