Teaching Composition at Key Stage 4

• Explore practical and accessible approaches to teaching composition at Key Stage 4 that can support a wide range of learners.
• Develop confidence in helping students generate, shape and extend musical ideas through hands-on composing activities.
• Understand how Musical Futures approaches can support the development of composing skills in both GCSE Music and BTEC Music contexts.
• Reflect on ways to make composition teaching more engaging, inclusive and achievable while supporting students to produce successful outcomes.

The day will explore a range of practical approaches to teaching composition at Key Stage 4, focusing on strategies and ideas for:

• Keeping practical music- making at the forefront of teaching composition – exploring practical starting points that help all students begin composing with confidence.
• Developing and shaping compositions – strategies for extending, refining and structuring ideas into successful musical outcomes.
• Musical Futures approaches to composing at KS4 – considering how practical, student- centred approaches can support both GCSE Music and BTEC Music learners.

For attendees who do not currently have a membership of musicalfuturesonline

• Standard ticket (£250 ) – includes 12 months Ultimate membership (*worth £199 + VAT) – which provides access to all resources used on the course
• Second member of staff  – can attend with either a Standard or Early Bird ticket holder at a discounted rate of £75

For attendees who currently have an existing 12 month membership of musicalfuturesonline

• Musical Futures Member Plus ticket (£225) – includes 12 months renewal Ultimate membership* (*worth £199 + VAT) which provides a further 12 months renewal added to your current membership expiry date
• Musical Futures Member Standard ticket (£75) – for attendance at the course only and does NOT include 12 months renewal of Musical Futures Online membership* (can be renewed at current expiry )

Tea/coffee and light refreshments

• Secondary music teachers of both GCSE and BTEC music
• Heads of Department

Teachers who attend this training report that they value:

• Trying out practical activities which instil them with the confidence, knowledge and resources to start delivery in their school the following day!
• Hearing how another secondary school organises their music curriculum
• An opportunity to see a class in action (where possible)
• Working with experienced classroom practitioner who uses this approach with their students
• An opportunity to connect with other music teachers
• Access to our Musical Futures Online resource platform Ultimate membership (worth £199 + VAT) is included as part of this course.

What People Say About Our Training:

“Love how it follows on from Musical Futures KS3 work, giving students confidence to compose/write songs/break things down”

“I feel completely inspired – Musical Futures is fab and the way forward at this level!”

“This will have an immediate impact with songwriting”

“Brilliant for helping with adapting GCSE schemes of work, creating new ones and building on things I’ve started – thanks for a great day!”

“Lots of ideas to introduce a more practical approach to whole class teaching in KS3 and at GCSE”