Ysgol Stanwell School
Archer Road, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 2XL
Archer Road, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 2XL
| Head of Department |
| Nick Rhydderch |
| Teachers |
| Miss S Ghazi-Torbati |
| Mr M Giles |
| Mr M Sambell |
| Technician |
| Mr A Reid |
At Stanwell, the focus is on ‘Music for All’! The department strives to cater for all levels of learners, and works to promote pride and success in the performance arts through exam achievements, a rigorous extra-curricular programme and public performances.
The curriculum at Key Stage 3 (studied for one lesson per week across Year 7 and 8) encompasses a broad range of musical styles, techniques and concepts. Students are given a National Curriculum level at the end of Key Stage 3 in line with the level descriptors in the Music programme of study (revised 2008).
There is an emphasis on building students’ musical skills, understanding and vocabulary, and units are carefully planned to ensure progression. Students will acquire a rudimentary knowledge of a number of classroom instruments including bass guitar, keyboard, drum-kit and ukulele. ICT is used to support and enhance learning in Music at Key Stage 3 with students using the departmental computer suite and school iPad suite to assist in the realisation of compositions. The current topics studied are:
| Year 7 | Year 8 |
| Working Together | Film Music |
| Descriptive Music | Layers of Sound |
| Patterns | What Makes a Song? |
| Jazz I | Jazz II |
| Music making using iPads | Musicals |
| African Music | Ukelele |
The Music department offers two courses at Key Stage 4; the well established GCSE Music course (WJEC specification) continues to attract numbers above the national average, and the newly established GCSE Performing Arts course (WJEC specification) which is becoming an increasingly popular option. Numbers of students opting for GCSE Music and GCSE Performing Arts are above national averages and examination results are consistently pleasing.
| Specification Overview | |
| MUS1: Performing Music 30% | Controlled Assessment: 120 marks (60 UMS) |
Two contrasting performances. One solo and one as a member of an ensemble.
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| MUS2: Composing Music 30% | Controlled Assessment: 80 marks (60 UMS) |
Two contrasting compositions.
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| MUS3: Appraising Music 40% | External Assessment: 100 marks (80 UMS) |
| Written Examination (40%): 1½ hour listening / written examination based on unprepared musical extracts under each of the Areas of Study and an evaluation of a performance/composition undertaken during the course. This is assessed externally in May/June. | |
In the 6th form, students can select from a number of qualification pathways offered by the department in order to further develop skills acquired through their GCSE studies.
A Level Music, A Level Music Technology and BTEC Performing Arts are all offered by the department and delivered in dedicated facilities, affording students the opportunity to specialise in their preferred area of music-making.
The department follows the AS / AL level WJEC courses. These allow all interested students the opportunity to pursue their interests in greater depth as they continue to work in the three areas of performing, composing and appraising. The specification is detailed below, with weightings pertinent to the full A Level qualification.
| Specification Overview | |
| AS (3 units) | |
| MU1 Performing (AO1) | 15% External Assessment |
Solo and/or ensemble performance
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| MU2 Composing (AO2) | 15% Internal Assessment |
Two contrasting compositions
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| MU3 Appraising (AO3) | 20% External Assessment |
One listening examination in two parts
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| A Level (the above plus the following 3 units – 2 units at 15% and 1 at 20%) | |
| Either MU4(A) Performing (AO1) | 15 % External Assessment |
Solo and/or ensemble performance
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| Or MU4(B) Performing (AO1) | 20 % External Assessment |
Solo and/or ensemble performance
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| Either MU5(A) Composing (AO2) | 15% Internal Assessment |
Two contrasting compositions
Tradition (area of study continued from AS)
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| Or MU5(B) Composing (AO2) | 20% Internal Assessment |
Three contrasting compositions
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| Either MU6(A) Appraising (AO3) | 15% External Assessment |
One written examination in two parts (2 ¼ hours)
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| Or MU6(B) Appraising (AO3) | 20% External Assessment |
One written examination in three parts (3 hours)
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The department encourages performances of a tremendous variety of styles, from music from the sixteenth century to pop! Hundreds of pupils participate in an array of activities organised by the music staff, and rehearsals are organised according to set projects and performances; both in the school and in the local community. The current activities offered include, Junior Girls’ Choir, Outsiders Boys’ Choir, Junior Jazz, Senior Jazz, String Group, Barbershop Choir, Senior Girls’ Choir and various smaller ensembles. The uptake of instrumental and vocal lessons is excellent with around 300 pupils receiving tuition during after school sessions.
The department embarks on a concert tour to a European destination on a bi-annual basis – in July 2014 a group of students visited Paris giving concerts in the shadow of Notre Dame Cathedral and in the Disneyland Paris hotel (the concert tour destination for 2016 is currently in negotiation).
The department strives to forge links with local organisations such as Welsh National Opera, Wales Millennium Centre, Penarth Pier Pavillion and Penarth Rotary Club, and pupils frequently perform at events and participate in workshops alongside professional arts practitioners.
A highlight of the extra-curricular programme is undoubtedly the junior and senior productions. These reach standards of excellence which are regularly praised by inspectors and professional performers. Recent upper school productions include Aida, Beauty and the Beast, Miss Saigon (Welsh Schools’ Premiere), Grease, Little Shop of Horrors and We Will Rock You (British Schools’ Premier). Junior shows have included Oliver!, High School Musical and Bugsy Malone.
The extra-curricular programme is demanding but extremely rewarding for pupils and staff alike, and is recognised widely for the standards achieved. The school has been recognised by the Welsh Secondary Schools Association receiving an award for ‘Extra Curricular Performance Arts – A Significant Contribution to Excellence’.
A number of helpful resources can be found on the Internet for both Key Stages 3 and 4.
The department delivers the Edexcel AS / A Level Music Technology courses. Students have the opportunity to learn and develop skills in the key areas of the contemporary music industry including recording, mixing, sequencing, arranging, and mastering. In addition, the AS course covers the history of 20th Century Popular Music, and the A2 course supplements this with a history of technological developments (e.g. analogue/digital recording, synthesizers, samplers, etc).
The department is fully equipped with a dedicated recording studio, professional standard hardware (including analogue mixing desk, range of microphones, rack mounted effects and processors) and software (Cubase, Reason and Sibelius).
The department also has good links with HE providers, which are utilised to enable students to explore further education possibilities and also career opportunities in the music industry.
The specification for the course is detailed below, with weightings relevant to full A Level qualification.
| Specification Overview | |
| AS: 2 Units | |
| Unit 1: Portfolio | 35% External Assessment |
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| Unit 2: Listening and Analysing | 15% External Assessment |
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| A2: 2 Units | |
| Unit 3: Portfolio | 30% External Assessment |
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| Unit 4: Analysing and Producing | 20% External Assessment |
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