Musicians in Year 10

Specialist musicians in Year 10

Specialist Musicians need time for daily practice and music lessons. It is therefore necessary for them to reduce the number of subjects studied at GCSE. This is usually done by reducing the number of option column subjects chosen whilst studying the full ‘core’ curriculum.

In addition to the above, extra music time may be found during activities on Wednesday afternoons. However all pupils are expected to attend at least one Games session each week as well as PE.

There is also the option for some musicians to follow an amended pathway through the GCSE Science course, studying the Combined Science (Double Award), on a reduced timetable, rather than separate award Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSEs. This gives further flexibility in option choices, however, discussion with Tutors, science staff, and the Head of the relevant instrumental Department is important prior to any decision making. Most Specialists will drop at least two option subjects and all Specialists at least one.

Special Provision musicians in Year 10

The Special Provision category at Wells embraces a wide range of pupils with different aspirations. Some are as committed to their music as Specialists, whilst others, though currently possessing high musical ability, see their music mainly as a hobby. The choice of GCSE subjects, therefore, will need to be influenced by the pupil’s individual aspirations. The Music Department is ready and willing to counsel Special Provision pupils and their parents as to a suitable GCSE programme depending on the instrument. In some cases this may be reduced to a Specialist level, whilst in others a full complement of GCSEs will be appropriate.

Other musicians in Year 10

In most cases a full GCSE academic curriculum will be followed. However, a small number of pupils have been permitted to reduce their curriculum by one option subject in the past on the recommendation of the Instrumental Co-ordinator with the agreement of the Head of Year and the Deputy Head (Academic).