Music development plan

Detail Information
Academic year that this summary covers 2025/2026
Date this summary was published
Date this summary will be reviewed
Name of the school music lead Mr Chris Tratt
Name of school leadership team member with responsibility for music (if different)
Name of local music hub Resonate
Name of other music education organisation(s) (if partnership in place) N/A
This is a summary of how our school delivers music education to all our pupils 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.
Part A: Curriculum music

This is about what we teach in lesson time, how much time is spent teaching music and any music qualifications or awards that pupils can achieve.

At Archbishop Beck Catholic College, our music curriculum has been designed to ensure a musical education that is high quality, accessible and engaging to all students. It has taken into account the Model Music Curriculum and the National Curriculum for music.

During key stage 3 students receive one fifty-minute music lesson every two weeks. Each year group undertakes three units of work per year, with accompanying workbooks and PowerPoints containing all necessary resources and activities. Resources are designed to meet the needs of all students: booklets contain visual aids and simplified keyboard performance tasks (where needed), listening questions provide a range of challenge from multiple choice questions and questions with visual aids (such as identifying a certain instrument from a picture, not just its name).

Throughout each unit of work, students will be expected to develop:

  • Knowledge of music theory
  • Listening and appraising skills
  • Composition skills
  • Performance skills

Throughout key stage 3, students have regular opportunities to perform as soloists and in small groups. Students are also given the opportunity to compose and perform their own music. Lessons throughout key stage 3 are a combination of music theory and practical music making.

During Key Stage 4, students can opt to study the GCSE Level 1 / 2 Vocational Award Performing Arts (wjec/eduqas).

In addition to the core curriculum offered at key stage 3 and 4, students are also able to develop their musical skills away from the classroom through our instrumental and vocal programme. Students can gain further qualifications such as:

  • ABRSM woodwind and brass exams
  • Rock School piano, guitar and drum exams
  • LCM Musical Theatre and vocal exams
Part B: Co-curricular music

This is about opportunities for pupils to sing and play music, outside of lesson time, including choirs, ensembles and bands, and how pupils can make progress in music beyond the core curriculum.

At Archbishop Beck Catholic College we have a successful instrumental and vocal programme that allows students to access tuition either in small groups, pairs or individually. We have four visiting teachers and offer lessons on the following:

  • Voice
  • Woodwind – Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone
  • Brass – Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba
  • Piano
  • Percussion – Orchestral percussion and Drum Kit
  • Guitar

The cost of these instrumental lessons is subsidised by the college. Currently, students are charged £33 per term (£99 per year).
Instrumental lessons take place during the school day and last for 25 minutes. Lessons are rotated on a weekly basis.

Students receiving instrumental lessons also have the opportunity to complete graded examinations at different points during the academic year. Woodwind and brass ABRSM. Piano, percussion and guitar Rock School. Vocal grades LCM Musical Theatre.

In addition to instrumental lessons, students also have the opportunity to join a range of ensembles:

  • Concert Band
  • Brass Band
  • Guitar Ensemble
  • Chamber Choir

Rehearsals take placed after school and additional weekend rehearsals take place in the lead up to performances.

Three practice rooms are available for tuition and individual/group practice.

Part C: Musical experiences

This is about all the other musical events and opportunities that we organise, such as singing in assembly, concerts and shows, and trips to professional concerts.

At Archbishop Beck Catholic College we provide a wide range of musical experiences throughout each academic year that ensure our students are able to participate, perform and develop as musicians in a variety of settings both inside and outside of the college.

Performance opportunities:

  • Open evening
  • Awards evening
  • Christmas and summer concerts / school musical
  • Music recital evenings
  • Wirral Music Festival
  • Workshop and performance with the Duke of Lancasters Band
  • Summer holiday Band Camp

Trips:

  • Liverpool Philharmonic concerts
  • Theatre trips local Liverpool theatres
  • London musical theatre trip.
In the future

This is about what the school is planning for subsequent years.

  • Increase the number of students opting for GCSE.
  • Continue with and increase the number of students taking graded examinations (ABRSM, Rock School and LCM).
  • Provide more opportunities to visit professional concerts at local venues within the city.
  • Continue to develop and review the key stage 3 music curriculum.