Music & Performing Arts Curriculum Overview
The Music and Performing Arts curriculum is designed to enrich pupils’ lives, celebrate creativity, and develop the cultural literacy needed to engage confidently with the world around them. Across KS3 and KS4, pupils explore Music and Drama through practical, analytical, and cultural study, building a strong foundation of transferable skills that support their wider learning and personal development.
Performing Arts enriches everyday life. We believe all pupils should have access to high‑quality Music and Drama education that inspires creativity, fosters resilience, and allows for authentic self‑expression. The curriculum balances practical performance with critical understanding, enabling pupils to grow as confident performers, thoughtful creators, and informed audience members.
Throughout their journey in Music and Performing Arts, pupils will:
Express Themselves Creatively
- Explore a wide range of genres, styles, traditions, and cultures.
- Use performance as a medium for personal expression.
- Develop originality through composition, improvisation, scripting, and devised work.
Build Confidence & Resilience
- Perform independently and collaboratively in front of an audience.
- Develop sustained discipline by practising and refining complex skills over time.
- Learn to give and respond to constructive feedback.
Understand the Wider World
- Study the historical, cultural, and social contexts that shape performance traditions.
- Engage with diverse global perspectives through music and storytelling.
- Increase cultural capital by exploring influential works, composers, playwrights, and practitioners.
Strengthen Technical & Analytical Skills
- Apply skills, musical notation, physical theatre techniques, and dramatic conventions.
- Analyse performances using subject‑specific vocabulary.
- Develop accomplished written responses through evaluation, reflection, and contextual commentary.
Collaborate & Work Independently
- Rehearse as part of an ensemble, understanding how each individual contributes to the bigger picture.
- Build communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills through group performance work.
- Take responsibility for personal preparation, practice, and improvement.
Studying Music and Performing Arts opens the door to a wide range of future opportunities. The subject nurtures creativity, confidence, communication, discipline, and teamwork — skills that are highly valued in further education, the workplace, and everyday life.
Higher Education Pathways
Pupils can progress to a broad range of courses, including:
Music Pathways
- Music Performance
- Music Technology
- Songwriting & Composition
- Music Production & Sound Engineering
- Music Education / Teaching
- Music Business & Management
- Musical Theatre
- Film Scoring / Game Audio
Performing Arts & Drama Pathways
- Performing Arts
- Acting
- Theatre Production / Stage Management
- Dance / Choreography
- Drama and Theatre Studies
- Scriptwriting / Playwriting
- Costume Design / Set Design
- Arts Administration & Events Management
Many colleges, conservatoires and universities offer specialist programmes, apprenticeships, and vocational routes that build on the skills learned in school.
Career Opportunities
Performing Arts can lead to exciting careers both on stage and behind the scenes — and far beyond the arts sector.
Creative & Performance Careers
- Actor / Performer
- Musician / Instrumentalist
- Singer / Vocalist
- Dancer
- Musical Theatre Performer
- Composer / Songwriter
- Sound Designer
- Audio Engineer / Producer
- Choreographer
- Director (Film, TV, Theatre)
Technical & Production Roles
- Lighting Designer
- Sound Technician
- Stage Manager
- Set & Costume Designer
- Make‑up & Special FX Artist
- Recording Studio Technician
- Broadcast & Media Production
Education & Community Roles
- Teacher / Tutor
- Community Arts Worker
- Music Therapist / Drama Therapist
- Workshop Leader
Broader Professional Careers
The transferable skills developed in Performing Arts are valued across many sectors, leading to roles such as:
- Marketing & Communications
- Public Relations
- Event Management
- Youth Work
- Journalism
- Creative Writing
- Customer‑facing roles requiring confidence and communication
Life Skills & Personal Development
Performing Arts doesn’t just prepare pupils for careers — it prepares them for life.
Students build:
- Confidence in public speaking
- Teamwork & leadership through ensemble work
- Emotional intelligence & empathy from exploring characters and stories
- Resilience & discipline through rehearsal and refinement
- Creativity and problem‑solving abilities
- Cultural awareness from studying diverse styles and traditions
- Communication skills that transfer to any career path
These skills help pupils succeed in interviews, presentations, relationships, and future workplace environments.
Supporting your child in Music and Performing Arts doesn’t require specialist knowledge — just encouragement, interest, and opportunities to explore their creativity. Here are some simple but powerful ways to help them thrive:
Show Interest in What They’re Learning
Ask them about:
- What they’re practising in class
- Pieces, scripts or songs they’re working on
- How rehearsals or performances are going
- What they enjoyed or found challenging
Just talking about their learning strengthens confidence and motivation.
Encourage Regular Practice
Short, consistent practice sessions make a huge difference.
- Create a quiet, distraction‑free space
- Help them build a routine that fits around homework and activities
- Celebrate progress, not perfection
Even 15 minutes a few times a week goes a long way.
Expose Them to Music, Theatre & Live Performance
You don’t need expensive trips — although those help too!
Free or low‑cost ideas:
- School performances
- Local theatre groups
- Community concerts
- YouTube performances of orchestras, musicals, actors or bands
- Theatre shows streamed online
The more they experience, the richer their understanding becomes.
Support Their Organisation & Preparation
Help them keep track of:
- Rehearsal times
- Instruments or scripts they need to bring
- Performance dates
- Coursework deadlines (for KS4)
Being organised reduces stress and helps them enjoy the process.
Build Their Confidence
Performing can be daunting!
You can help by:
- Listening to them rehearse
- Encouraging them to perform for family
- Praising effort and improvement
- Helping them manage nerves before performances
Confidence grows with experience and reassurance.
Encourage Listening, Watching & Creativity at Home
Inspire them to:
- Create their own music, dances or scripts
- Use apps for composition or instrument learning
- Watch different genres (classical, world music, musicals, plays, films)
- Explore artists or performers they admire
Creativity flourishes when they feel free to experiment.
Work With the School
Stay connected with teachers by:
- Attending performances
- Checking school communications for updates
- Reaching out if your child needs extra support or enrichment opportunities
We’re always happy to recommend:
- Instrument lessons
- Theatre groups
- Extension activities
- Ways to support at home
Celebrate Their Achievements
Whether it’s a small improvement or a major performance, recognition from home makes a huge impact on their self‑belief and enthusiasm.
Most of All: Encourage and Enjoy It With Them
Your child’s passion for Music or Performing Arts thrives on your support. Showing interest, offering encouragement and giving them opportunities to explore will help them gain confidence, creativity, discipline — and a lifelong love of the arts.
In Performing Arts at KS3, pupils study a range of topics covering both Music and Drama knowledge and mastery of practical skills. Lessons have a practical focus, usually based around performing, composing/devising, and listening/appraising, which also links to the key components of KS4 (BTEC Performing Arts and GCSE Music). Context, knowledge and key terminology are intrinsically linked to the practical elements of the lesson. Teachers expertly model these skills, and give immediate and regular feedback to enable pupils’ progress and mastery of skills.
KS3 Subject Overview
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HT1 | Introduction to Performing Arts | Genres (Drama) | World Music (Music) |
| HT2 | Vocal Skills | Keyboard Skills and Introduction to Composition (Music) | DNA (Drama) |
| HT3 | Peter and the Wolf | Horror | Blood Brothers |
| HT4 | Matilda | We Will Rock You | Musical Theatre |
| HT5 | Blues and Jazz (Music) | Alice in Wonderland | Introduction to KS4 |
| HT6 | Romeo and Juliet (Drama) | Lion King | Silent Film |
This Term’s Work:
Y7-Peter and the Wolf-Instruments of the Orchestra, keyboard skills, still image, mime
Y8-Horror-Composition to a timed scene, abstract movement and gesture
Y9-Blood Brothers-Vocal skills, keyboard skills, script work, exploring character and themes
Mastery
KS4 Subject Overview
Pupils have the option to study GCSE Music and/or BTEC Performing Arts at KS4.
GCSE Music:
Pupils follow the AQA GCSE Music course. As part of this, they will need to perform (as a soloist and as part of an ensemble), compose two pieces of music, and will develop a deeper understanding of a range of styles and genres of music and apply this understanding to listening and analysis.
This Term’s Work:
Y10-Little Shop of Horrors Set Work Analysis, continue with Free Composition
Y11-Little Shop of Horrors Set Work Revision and exam practice, personal performance practice
BTEC Performing Arts:
Pupils will develop skills in Drama and Dance, through performing, devising and evaluating. They will take part in workshops, attend live performances, and develop their own dance and drama performances based on core and optional units.
Resources
Explore helpful resources, homework tasks, step-by-step tutorials, and detailed guides to support your learning at KS3 & KS4.
