Teacher of Music

The Music Department at

Westcliff High School for Boys (WHSB) has been a high performing Department for

many years. We have had consistently outstanding results in GCSE and Advanced

Level Music. Currently there are 12 students studying the subject in the Sixth

Form and 78 pupils studying the GCSE course in Years 10 and 11. The School is extremely

proud of the Music Department’s extra-curricular provision. There are a large

number of clubs and ensembles that meet regularly, including the Concert Band,

Jazz Band, String Ensemble, Brass Ensemble and Treble Choir. The School

Calendar features many musical events, including termly Chamber Recitals and

the popular ‘Festival of Lessons and Carols’ featuring the large School Choir.

The Big Band performs jazz, funk and pop music at two popular annual events,

while the School’s symphony orchestra, the Westcliff Sinfonia, performs a full

concert of professional repertoire each term. A musical performance is given in Assembly

once a week, and hymns are also sung twice weekly in Assembly. The Department regularly runs trips to

see concerts, opera and musical theatre in London. The Department’s programme of instrumental tuition

is popular and there are currently over 180 pupils taking lessons on

instruments from the bassoon to the organ. The department has a number of Music

Scholars, who are selected by audition each year.

CURRICULUM

In the Lower School

(Years 7-9), the Music syllabus covers basic theory in Year 7, ensuring pupils

have a firm understanding of rhythm, pitch, chords and the rules of melody

writing. In Year 8 there is an expanded focus on analysis and

composing/performing applied music, such as programme music. In Year 9, pupils develop

their skills of analysis and evaluation and begin to consider how context can

impact on style and genre. The Edexcel Music GCSE

curriculum follows on from the work that has been completed in the Lower School

syllabus, both consolidating aspects that have previously been covered up to

GCSE Level but also extending aspects so pupils can access the Grade 9 GCSE

grade. In the Sixth Form,

students can choose to study Eduqas Advanced Level Music if they attained a

Level 7, 8 or 9 in GCSE Music. The

course offers flexibility regarding the topics covered, and we have chosen to

focus on Musical Theatre, music of the early 20th century, and the

development of the symphony. Students are taught how to write four-part harmony

and other compositional techniques. At all divisions

(Lower, Middle and Sixth Form) in Music, the Department devotes time to the

development of examination technique and regularly assesses students so they

are best placed to succeed at examination time.

EXAMINATION RESULTS

The

Music department has a track record of examination success: 60% of the 2025

Music cohort achieved grades 8-9, while 80% of A-Level music students achieved

A*-B over the past four years. Students leaving the School