Intent

This is a summary of how The Hazeley Academy delivers music education to all our students across three areas – curriculum music, co-curricular provision and musical experiences – and what changes we are planning in future years. This information is to help pupils and parents or carers understand what our school offers and who we work with to support our pupils’ music education.

At Hazeley Academy, our learners undertake the Eduqas GCSE qualification in Music. We are committed to ensuring that our curriculum is accessible to all students, including those with disabilities and special educational needs (SEND). Our published school curriculum, which is available online, details the specific content and structure of our music program for each year group, including how we support access for disabled pupils and those with SEND. You can find this information on our website.

 

Curriculum Music

Curriculum Information: Our music curriculum is informed by the Model Music Curriculum (March 2021), which provides non-statutory guidance for teaching music from Key Stages 1 to 3. The curriculum is designed to offer a broad and balanced musical education, and our approach aligns with this guidance to ensure a coherent progression from one year to the next. 

Allocation of Curriculum Time: For each Key Stage: Key Stage 3 Pupils have one hour of curriculum music per fortnight. This is allocated across all terms, ensuring a consistent exposure to musical education throughout the academic year. 

Key Stage 4: Students pursuing the Eduqas GCSE qualification in Music receive 5 hours of music instruction per fortnight, with additional time allocated for performance practice, composition, and listening skills. 

Opportunities for Musical Learning: All pupils at Hazeley Academy have the opportunity to learn to sing and play musical instruments during lesson time. Whole-class ensemble teaching is offered, and we provide instruments to ensure that every student can participate. This programme is integrated into the curriculum at Key Stage 3, where all students receive basic instrumental training and are encouraged to continue with further instrumental study in Key Stage 4. 

Partnerships and Collaborations: We actively partner with our local music hub and collaborate with various music education organisations to enrich our music curriculum. These partnerships help to provide additional resources, workshops, and performance opportunities for our students.  

Qualifications and Awards: In addition to the Eduqas GCSE in Music, our students have the opportunity to pursue graded music exams through partnerships with recognised examination boards. For Key Stage 4 students, we offer GCSE Music, and for students aged 16 to 18, we provide opportunities within our Trust to study A-Level Music or other vocational and technical qualifications in music. 

For more detailed information about our music curriculum, partnerships, and support for pupils with SEND, please visit our school’s curriculum page The Hazeley Academy - Curriculum Intent and our SEND information page.

By continually refining our curriculum and fostering partnerships, we strive to provide an inclusive, enriching, and comprehensive music education for all our students.

 

co-curricular provision

Extra-Curricular Music at The Hazeley Academy:  At The Hazeley Academy, we are dedicated to providing a rich and varied music education experience for our students beyond the classroom. We offer a wide range of music tuition and ensemble opportunities for students of all ages and abilities. 

Music Tuition 

Outside of lesson time, we provide: 

One-to-One Tuition: Individual lessons are available for a range of instruments, including piano, guitar, violin, drums, and voice.  

Small-Group Tuition: We offer small-group lessons for instruments such as woodwinds, brass, and strings, allowing students to learn in a more collaborative environment. 

Tuition fees vary depending on the type and duration of lessons. We offer subsidised tuition or remission of fees for eligible pupils, including those eligible for pupil premium or those from low-income families. 

Ensembles and Music Groups 

Pupils at The Hazeley Academy can participate in a wide variety of ensembles and groups outside of lesson time: 

Choirs and Vocal Ensembles: Open to students from Year 7 onwards, our school choir and vocal ensemble provide opportunities to sing a diverse range of music, from classical to contemporary. 

New to academic year 2025: 

Instrumental Ensembles: We have several instrumental groups, including a concert band, jazz band, string ensemble, and rock band, catering to different musical tastes and abilities.  

All ensembles are open to students at no additional charge. However, some specialised music groups may require an audition or demonstration of prior experience. Tuition fees for some ensembles are also subsidised for pupils eligible for pupil premium or those with other specific needs. 

Progression in Music 

Students at The Hazeley Academy can make good progress in music through several co-curricular opportunities: 

Qualifications and Awards: Beyond the classroom, students have the opportunity to pursue graded music exams through recognized examination boards, and we provide support and guidance for these qualifications.  

Access and Participation 

Joining Choirs or Ensembles: Pupils from Year 7 onwards can join any of our choirs and ensembles, and no prior experience is necessary for most groups. Participation in choirs and most ensembles is free, and for any that do have fees, we offer subsidies or full remission for students from low-income families or those eligible for pupil premium. 

Practice Facilities: Pupils have access to practice rooms (pods), after school, allowing them to rehearse individually or in groups.

Partnerships to Support Co-Curricular Music 

We have strong partnerships with our local music hub and the schools within The 5 Dimensions Trust, which provides additional resources, expert tuition, and performance opportunities for our students. These partnerships help to enhance the musical experience for all pupils and ensure a high quality of co-curricular music education. 

For more information about our extra-curricular music offerings, charging, and remissions, please visit our school’s music page. We encourage all pupils to explore and engage in the rich variety of musical activities available at The Hazeley Academy.

 

MUSICAL EXPERIENCES

Musical Events at The Hazeley Academy: At The Hazeley Academy, we provide a wide range of musical experiences throughout the academic year to enrich our students' education and foster a love of music. These events include regular performances, concerts, assemblies, and trips, providing opportunities for both participation and appreciation of music. 

Regular Musical Experiences:   

In-School Performances and Concerts: We host several in-school performances and concerts throughout the year:

Musical Production: Biennially we produce a full-scale musical involving students from all year groups. Auditions are open to everyone, with roles available both on stage and behind the scenes in technical and support capacities. 

Trips to External Concerts and Performances: We organise trips to local and regional concerts, musical theatre shows, and other live music events: 

Music Festivals and Competitions: Our students participate in local music festivals and competitions, allowing them to perform for wider audiences and receive feedback from experienced adjudicators. 

Participation and Audience Involvement 

Getting Involved: Pupils from all year groups are encouraged to get involved in musical events, whether as performers, technical support, or audience members. Participation is open and inclusive, with opportunities tailored to different skill levels and interests. Auditions are held for key events like the biennial musical, while other events, such as choir performances and lunchtime recitals, are open to all students. 

Audience Engagement: Students are regularly invited to attend in-school concerts and assemblies as members of the audience. For external trips, pupils from specific year groups are selected based on interest, music curriculum participation, or ensemble membership.

Charging and Subsidies 

Event Fees: Most in-school events, such as concerts and assemblies, are free for students to attend. For external trips, there may be a nominal fee to cover transportation and ticket costs. However, we provide subsidies or full fee remissions for pupils eligible for pupil premium or from low-income families, ensuring all students have the opportunity to participate. 

Partnerships to Support Musical Experiences 

Our strong partnerships with the local music hub, regional music education organisations, and professional musicians enhance our musical events programme. These collaborations provide access to guest performances, workshops, and masterclasses from visiting musicians, enriching the musical experiences available to our students.

 

FUTURE PLANS

At The Hazeley Academy, we are committed to continuously improving our music education provision to ensure that every student has access to high-quality musical experiences, both within and beyond the classroom. Our plans for the coming years reflect this commitment, focusing on expanding curriculum music, enhancing co-curricular activities, and enriching our overall musical experiences. 

Planned Improvements in Curriculum Music 

1. Increasing Curriculum Time for Music: Beginning in the next academic year, we plan to increase music lesson time for Key Stage 3 students to a full hour each week. This change aligns with the 7 features of high-quality music provision, ensuring that students have adequate time to develop their skills in performing, composing, and listening to music.  

2. Introducing New Instruments: To diversify the musical experiences available, we plan to introduce the teaching of new instruments, such as the ukulele and digital music production tools, across all year groups. This will begin with Year 7 in the next academic year and expand to other year groups over subsequent years. These additions will allow students to explore a broader range of musical genres and traditions, in line with the aim of developing a more inclusive and comprehensive music curriculum. 

3. Embedding More Opportunities for Ensemble Work: We aim to embed more ensemble work into the curriculum by incorporating regular group performances and ensemble-based projects into the assessment framework for all year groups. Starting next year, each term will feature a focus on a different style or genre, encouraging collaboration among students and fostering a deeper understanding of diverse musical traditions. 

Enhancements to Co-Curricular Music 

1. Termly School Performances: To provide more regular performance opportunities, we plan to introduce a series of termly school performances beginning next year. These will include seasonal concerts, themed showcases (such as jazz, classical, or musical theatre), and an end-of-year music festival as part of HazeleyFest. These events will provide all students with the opportunity to perform and gain confidence on stage, supporting the development of performance skills and encouraging wider participation. 

2. Expanded Instrumental and Vocal Tuition: In collaboration with our local music hub, we aim to expand the range of instruments offered for individual and group tuition. Starting next year, we will add brass and percussion instruments to our tuition program. We also plan to introduce new vocal coaching sessions, focusing on contemporary singing styles and techniques to cater to a wider range of student interests. 

3. Enhanced Partnerships and Community Engagement: We plan to strengthen our partnerships with local music organisations and professionals, offering more workshops, masterclasses, and collaborative projects. Beginning next year, we will host an annual "Music in the Community" event, inviting local musicians and organisations to perform and work with our students, fostering a deeper connection between the school and the wider music community. 

Enriching Musical Experiences 

1. Increased Access to Musical Events and Trips: We plan to increase the number of trips to external concerts, musical theatre productions, and workshops, particularly for Key Stage 3 students. These trips will be offered each term, providing students with more opportunities to experience live music and understand its cultural and social significance. 

2. Investment in Technology and Resources: To support contemporary music-making, we will invest in new technology, including digital audio workstations and music production software, to be introduced in the next academic year. This will enable students to explore digital composition and music production, aligning with current industry practices and equipping them with relevant skills for the future.   

3. Long-Term Vision: Over the next three years, we will continue to review and adapt our music provision, guided by the 7 features of high-quality music education. Our focus will remain on providing a broad, balanced, and inclusive music curriculum that fosters creativity, supports individual progression, and promotes a lifelong love of music. 

For more information on our current curriculum and upcoming changes, please visit our school’s music page.  We are excited about these future developments and the positive impact they will have on our students' musical journeys at The Hazeley Academy.