Music
Welcome to Music.
Our Full Music Development Plan is HERE
Music at Carshalton Boys is built on a simple belief: every student deserves the chance to find their voice, whether that's at a keyboard, behind a mixing desk, in an ensemble, or on a stage in front of an audience. We believe that giving our students a genuine relationship with music, i.e. the confidence to perform, the skill to create, and the knowledge to understand what they hear, is one of the most valuable things a school can offer. Too many young people leave education having never picked up an instrument or found a reason to sing. We are determined that ours do not.
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is ambitious by design and delivered by advanced musicians who are equally passionate teachers. Students learn to play, compose, perform and listen with real understanding; not simply to complete tasks, but to build genuine musicianship they can carry with them for life. They develop practical skills at the keyboard, in music technology, and through singing, alongside the theoretical knowledge to understand how music works and why it moves us.
Everything we teach is purposeful, built so that the keyboard and theory skills developed in Key Stage 3 become the foundation for everything that follows. As passionate subject specialists, we believe Key Stage 3 is not simply preparation for GCSE: it's where students first discover what they're capable of, through weekly lessons and access to instrumental tuition from professional visiting musicians. Students arrive at Year 10 not just ready to take an exam, but genuinely equipped with the technical skill, listening ear and performing confidence to thrive on the courses that follow, because they have spent three years being musicians, not simply studying music.
For those who go further, our co-curricular programme means students perform far beyond the classroom - in concerts every half-term, the school production, and professional venues including The Sound Lounge and the Southbank Centre - and our post-16 pathway offers the chance to specialise further, developing the technical, creative and professional skills required for conservatoire, university or a career in the music industry.
Music Curriculum Map:
Our Music Curriculum Map 2026-2027 Link
Key Stage 3
Across Years 7, 8 and 9, students build the practical and theoretical foundations that underpin real musicianship, with a significant proportion of curriculum time dedicated to developing keyboard and piano skills that support progression at every stage. Students also develop skills in music technology and Digital Audio Workstations, and singing is embedded throughout, preparing students to perform in the school production and termly concerts. In Year 9, students take part in a rotation covering music theory, keyboard skills and composition across a range of genres, consolidating the knowledge and skills needed to succeed at Key Stage 4 and beyond.
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9 Music Rotation
In Year 9, all students take part in music on a rotation basis. This includes work on music theory, keyboard skills, and composing in different musical genres using music technology.
Year 9
Key Stage 4 & 5
At Key Stage 4, students who choose Music as an option study a GCSE in Music, developing performance, composition and listening skills across a range of styles, with five 60-minute lessons each fortnight. Moving into Key Stage 5, students study the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Music Performance, building the practical, professional and industry skills required for higher education, conservatoire or a career in the music industry.
Year 10 (GCSE)
Year 11 (GCSE)
Year 12
Year 13
Subject Lead: Katie Patel kpatel@carshaltonboys.org