Opportunity + Success = Pride Confidence
Music Intent
At Neale-Wade Academy, we believe that music is a universal language that nurtures both creativity and teamwork. Our curriculum extends far beyond traditional lessons, offering students opportunities that go beyond standard exams. Our department provides a variety of extracurricular activities for students who wish to enhance their musical talents outside the classroom. All students have access to individual instrumental lessons, and we offer a lively selection of musical ensembles, giving students the chance to collaborate, refine their performance skills, and deepen their appreciation for music. Whenever possible, we expose students to live performances through trips to concerts and theatre events.
Additionally, students involved in music are regularly given the chance to perform, whether solo or as part of an ensemble. These experiences not only strengthen their performance abilities but also help build their confidence and overall musical understanding, giving students greater potential for future success at university and industry related careers in music and audio production.
We carefully sequence our teaching to build up the necessary knowledge and skills to construct schema in student's minds enabling long term learning. We plan each year to introduce threshold concepts in an order which helps students to progress, so they have the necessary skills and knowledge to make links and build on when meeting new topics. Key concepts are revisited frequently so that knowledge is internalised and built upon. Whilst studying a variety of instruments and their voices, students are exposed to Western Classical Music, popular and jazz styles along with music from various cultures, aiding them to challenge closed mindsets whilst encouraging creativity.
We aim to foster a passion for various music genres and equip all students with the skills needed to be independent learners, both in our curriculum and beyond. Our instrumental tuition program is thriving, with strong retention rates as many students continue their instrumental studies throughout their time here. Those who take instrumental exams with Trinity and ABRSM achieve success and earn UCAS points for grades 6 and above. After Key Stage 4, many students pursue further education, securing places in conservatories and universities, and eventually find employment in music and audio production careers.