Music
Music education and experiences at Honiton Community College aims to be broad-ranging, inspiring and far-reaching. Our curriculum covers a wide range of styles and genres and the facilities for Music are of high quality and uniquely resourced.
We aim to deliver an engaging curriculum which inspires our students and gives them opportunities to develop and nurture their musical abilities.
We develop musical skills in the core areas of performing, composing, listening and singing and believe music contributes hugely to the culture and wellbeing of the school.
Music is all around us. It is the soundtrack to our lives. Music connects us with people and places in our ever-changing world. It is creative, collaborative, celebratory and challenging. At Honiton Community College, music aims to bring the community together through the shared endeavour of whole-school singing, ensemble playing, experimenting with the creative process and, through the love of listening to friends and fellow pupils, performing.
Useful links and information for Parents/Carers and students:
The sheer joy of music making can feed the soul of a school community, enriching each student while strengthening the shared bonds of support and trust which make a great school.
DFE March 2021
What makes us special?
Honiton Community College Music Department is a vibrant and creative place. We have a new music curriculum which is varied and broad ranging. We strive to ensure every child who wants to develop their abilities in music and learn an instrument can be supported to do so. We have fantastic and well-resourced facilities, experienced teachers and an ambitious aim to offer the highest quality music provision to all students. We have two well-resourced classrooms, a wide range of instruments, 20 iMacs, 2 Recording Studio facilities and 4 practice rooms which can be booked by students at break and lunchtimes. We have a dedicated and experienced peripatetic team of instrumental teachers and students are given opportunities to take grades on their chosen instrument.
We regularly give concerts every term and have a vibrant and truly unique enrichment programme which includes a House Band, Balalaika Ensemble, Taiko Drumming Group, Singing Group, Rock School and Song Writing. Students regularly have opportunities to take part in musical events such as concerts each term, Carol Services, the Devon Battle of the Bands and performing annually at the Devon County Show. We also regularly organise visiting workshops to support students’ musical development.
We are proud of our Music Ambassadors who represent the Music Department and promote music within the school and beyond.
We coordinate and host the Honiton Music Centre which was established in September 2025. This gives any youngster in the Honiton community of primary and secondary age the opportunity to learn an orchestral instrument at a heavily subsidised rate. We work closely with our partner Primary Schools, Devon Music Education Hub, Post 16 colleges and community partners. We aspire to be a Lead School for Music in the future.
We offer instrument lessons both during the school day and through the Honiton Music Centre.
Assessment
Students at Key Stage 3 are given feedback midway through each teaching cycle. Skills assessed are Performing, Composing and Listening. Assessments take place at the end of each cycle during assessment week. Key Stage 4 students studying GCSE are expected to produce a range of performances and compositions through the course and are also assessed on their listening skills.
Progression & careers
If students study this subject at GCSE, they can progress to a range of Music courses at Post 16 college. We have established links with local Post 16 colleges and their music departments, providing opportunities for students to visit, collaborate and find out about Post 16 pathways. The skills developed at GCSE Music would ultimately help with various career possibilities in recording, sound engineering, media, entertainment, teaching, music therapy and many more.
Curriculum Map
