Music is a unique way of communicating that can inspire and motivate pupils. We work on the premise that all pupils are musical and have the innate ability to play, sing, listen, create and express themselves. At Valley Gardens Middle School, we aim to provide learning experiences that are tailored to develop each pupil’s musical ability, enriching both pupil’s education and their lives. Music has the facility to impact and benefit our pupils as we prepare our pupils with a broad and varied range of skills and qualities that are both relevant and transferable.
Each class receives one music lesson per week taught by a subject specialist in a block of classrooms which are fully equipped with a good range of high quality classroom instruments.
Music seeks to provide each pupil with the knowledge, skills, interest and enthusiasm which allows them to engage with the subject in such a way as to provide them with exciting opportunities and experiences in order to develop their understanding and enjoyment.
The following skills will form the basis for the musical learning that takes place.
Performing – play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts, using their voices and playing musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency and control.
Composing and Improvising – improvise, arrange and compose music for a range of purposes using staff and other musical notations.
Listening – listen and explore how music is created and begin to appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality live and recorded music drawn from different traditions and genres.
Musical knowledge is also a priority and therefore the following will form a key part of learning.
- Musical Elements
- Notation
- Music from a range of style and genres
- Composers and Musicians
- Music Technology
Each of the strands builds on the musical elements providing a strong foundation on which all music is built.
Please see the Music Department Curriculum Maps below.
Below are just some of the skills and qualities our pupils gain from studying music.
Music Skills
Music Department Curriculum Maps
The spring and summer term topics are taught in a carousel due to timetabling and staffing. Term 1 – Exploring Beat and Rhythms Term 2 – Exploring Pitch and Melody Term 3 – Exploring the Musical Elements Term 1a – Exploring Pitch and Melody Term 1b – Samba Term 2a – Keyboard Skills Term 2b – Folk In the Jungle Samba Keyboard Skills Classical Music Three Little Birds Introduction to Garageband Garageband Drum-Kit Garageband Keyboard Three Little Birds Music Production (Pachelbel’s Canon) 12 Bar Blues 
Please click on the images below to find out more:
Follow the Music Department on Twitter
A massive round of applause for Chloe in year 8, who performed her own song this evening! 🎶 #VGMSMusic
Our descant recorder ensemble sound amazing #VGMSmusic
Well done to all pupils who entered the VGMS Keyboard Teaching Gadget Competition this term. Huge will done to the winners! #vgmsmusic
3Congratulations to all the VGMS musicians that performed in the North Tyneside Music Hub concerts this week. You were all amazing and your audiences loved your music! #vgmsmusic
2