INTENT

Our music program is not only diverse and inclusive but also grounded in core values that shape our students’ experiences and growth. We are dedicated to creating a musical environment where respect, resilience, and responsibility are at the heart of everything we do.

Our curriculum offers a rich exploration of various musical genres and cultures. Students will have the opportunity to experience the traditional rhythms of Africa, the unique sounds of Japan, the electrifying guitar riffs of Jimi Hendrix, and the captivating music of gaming and film soundtracks.

Through a broad range of units, all students will learn to play a variety of instruments, including guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboard, voice, ukulele, and classical instruments. Our program also emphasises the importance of respect for different musical traditions and the contributions of others.

Students will develop resilience through challenging and rewarding musical experiences, from mastering new instruments to overcoming obstacles in their creative processes. Our focus on responsibility encourages students to take ownership of their learning, whether they are performing, recording, or composing their own digital music.

By fostering a supportive and inspiring environment, we aim to help every student grow as a musician and as an individual, preparing them for future successes both in and out of the music world.

IMPLEMENTATION

The Music Department at Looe Community Academy is a dynamic and well-resourced space designed to engage, empower, and evaluate students’ musical talents. Our facilities include a suite of PCs, a range of instruments from classical to contemporary, a digital recording studio, and four rehearsal spaces, providing students with the freedom and opportunity to develop their musicianship.

As an accredited centre for London College of Music and LAMDA qualifications in pop and musical theatre vocals, we offer formal pathways for students to achieve recognition for their skills.

We emphasise respect, resilience, and responsibility in all our activities. Students are encouraged to engage with their musical practice, empower themselves through learning and performance, and evaluate their progress for continuous improvement. We support students in respecting their own growth, being resilient through challenges, and taking responsibility for their learning and contributions.

Through diverse opportunities and qualifications, we inspire students to grow as musicians and individuals, fostering their development as creative and responsible members of the community.

Key Stage 3

Music at Key Stage 3 provides the opportunity for all learners to develop their practical skills (both individually and in groups) on an array of instruments, and also to refine their skills in appraisal and analysis of music from different cultures, genres and mediums. All students in Key Stage 3 will learn a variety of instruments and music theory through a diverse programme of study with the emphasis being on practical music-making. A non-exhaustive and fluid list of the units of study students will explore during Key Stage 3 can be found below:

Year 7

• Rhythm, Pulse & Pitch (Exploring Rhythm, Note Values and Pitch names)
• Discover Your Voice (Exploring Vocal Techniques and Beatboxing)
• Instrument Families and Elements (Exploring Timbre and Instruments)
• Soundscapes & Graphic Score (Exploring Connections Between Music & Art)
• World Music (Exploring Music from around the world with keyboard and percussion)
• Ukulele (Exploring Chord construction, strumming, tabs and play/sing)

Year 8

• The Music of Africa (Exploring Polyrhythms and Ensemble)
• Reggae (Exploring the sounds and playing styles of the genre) 
• Minimalist Music (Exploring how music is stripped back to basics and the work of Glass and Reich)
• Introduction to DAW (Exploring making digital music)
• The Blues (Exploring Culture and Genre)
• Putting the Band Together (Exploring Instrument Technique and Group Work)

Year 9

• TV, Adverts and Games (Creating Music for Games and Media)
• Film Music (Exploring and Creating Film Soundtracks & Diegesis)
• Four Chord Trick (Exploring chord progression and structure)
• Songwriting (Exploring Composition and Improvisation)
• EDM (Exploring and Creating House, Trance and Techno)

Key Stage 4

Looe Community Academy offers students the option to take their music education even further in Key Stage 4 by giving students the chance to explore, compose, perform, sequence, arrange, analyse and appraise music from a wide range of genres and cultures. Students are given the opportunity to put on performances, create collaborations with other musicians, refine their knowledge of music theory, and explore the musical world of other nations.

Although additional instrumental lessons are highly recommended to students taking a Music course in Key Stage 4 in order to further develop their musicianship, students that choose to take Music in Key Stage 4 will have had the opportunity to refine the knowledge and skills necessary for the courses offered at Key Stage 4 through their lessons during Year 7, Year 8, and Year 9.

Qualifications in Eduqas Music Level 1/2, NCFE Music Technology Level 1/2, LCM and LAMDA Level 3 (Grade 6-8) are offered at Looe Community Academy for students to choose from; all hold equal weighting as a qualification. All courses provide exciting opportunities for students to develop themselves as musicians, producers, and learners.

IMPACT

We offer a variety of peripatetic instrumental lessons for students of all abilities, covering a wide range of instruments. These lessons are designed to engage students in their musical development and provide them with the opportunity to explore diverse musical interests.

In addition to individual lessons, students can participate in a rich array of extra-curricular activities, including our very own LCA Performance Roadshow. These activities not only enhance their performance experience but also offer pathways to career opportunities in music and the arts.

Our program emphasises respect, resilience, and responsibility, supporting students in their journey to become skilled musicians and appreciative of the broader cultural landscape.

Beyond their time at the academy, we aim to instil a lifelong appreciation of music and culture, inspiring students to carry forward their passion for the arts into their future careers and personal lives.

Career possibilities include:

• Performer – Musician, vocalist, session musician.
• Production – Sound engineer; producer.
• Events-Managing & Hosting.
• Presenting & Media -TV, Radio, Live, Internet.