Projects: KS3

In April 2007, a consortium of subject associations, led by CfBT Educational Trust, was awarded a contract by the DfES (later DCSF) to develop and disseminate materials to support the introduction in September 2008 of the revised KS3 curriculum. NAME was given responsibility for the music strand of the project. The National Subject Lead (NSL) was Dr Jonathan Savage, Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, and he was supported by a number of Regional Subject Advisers (RSAs). There have been three phases to this support, carried out under three consecutive contracts.

Phase 1 Feb 2007-March 2008

  • awarding of initial contract and appointment of NSL and RSAs
  • writing of curriculum support materials by NSL supported by RSAs
  • a series of regional events to inform subject leaders of the curriculum support materials
  • provision of regional support for subject leaders from RSAs Phase 2 April 2008-March 2009 Phase 2 was extended until 31 July 2009.

Phase 2 Between 1 April 2008 and 31 July 2009, each subject association provided support to a minimum of 25 schools, either on a 1 to  1 basis in individual schools, or in groups through local networks or Local Authorities.

Phase 3 August 2009-March 2010. The focus was on four priorities:

  • sustainability
  • cross-subject working
  • working with LA personnel
  • working with schools in challenging circumstances.

See http://curriculum.qca.org.uk/key-stages-3-and-4 for more information about the curriculum and www.cfbt.com/nsc and www.newsecondarycurriculum.org for further information about this project.

The following resource materials, organised in three sections: Case Studies, How to Teach Guides and Other Resources, should be read in conjunction with the QCA website material for the new secondary curriculum at www.curriculum.qca.org.uk, which also contains a range of helpful materials for Subject Leaders looking to develop their curriculum planning. In particular, the planning wizard and music support materials contained within the website www.newsecondarycurriculum.org is highly recommended. In addition, videos of case studies from Phases 1 and 2 of the CfBT project can be found within the website www.newsecondarycurriculum.org. In order to access them you have to create an account and then search under the music materials.

Other Resources

PDFs and PowerPoint presentations have been gathered together from various sources to support teachers implementing the new Key Stage 3 National Curriculum for Music.

The New National Curriculum for Music 
A copy of the new National Curriculum for Music from the National Curriculum website.
The New National Curriculum for Music

How to Teach Guides

How to Teach Guides are written by teachers and other music educators. Each guide focuses on a new aspect of the National Curriculum for Music and highlights some practical advice about how to implement it across Key Stage 3.

Case Studies

These case studies are drawn from the work of music teachers across the UK.  Each case study shows how they have adapted their work in line with the requirements of the new National Curriculum for Music.

Case Study 1
Desc: Writing Songs for Special Occasions. In this Case Study students explored the conventions of song writing as a collaborative process working alongside expert musicians.
PDF: Writing Songs for Special Occasions