It is a fine balance, but like you I have found that my experience at KS3 with managing personalised learning through musical futures approaches helps with the planning and management of split courses! Good luck with it, I have found it to be really successful, I think I have posted a video of my students talking about their experiences to my page!

I've looked at what Anna's done based on Abigail's report and am in the process of putting a similar system into my KS4 for next year. I'm particularly looking at finding ways of putting individual students through the most appropriate 'pathway' with the hope to have BTEC, GCSE, Access to Music, Arts Award, etc all running in the same lesson (based on what's right for each individual student). I've had nightmares with AS/2 course sharing before (at a previous school) but am hoping our pretty good personalised learning at KS3 has given us the experience to better prepare for this.

I'm aware that we're taking quite a risk with this but I'm always happy to try! Worst case scenario is that it doesn't work and we go back to the old way of doing things...

I have experimented with quite a few things, even though my G and T list differs from the 'register'! We have fastracked students through GCSE onto some AS work, grade 5 theory, looked at aspects of Rock School Access to Music, Arts Award and Arts Practitioner. I choose a programme that suits the particular cohort at the time. there's no funding what-so-ever, we just manage it within the department!

Does it need to be GCSE? Other approaches could include broadening the provision through practical composing and/or performing sessions (does your LA Music Authority have sets of instruments, e.g. Samba, Steel Pans that could be borrowed for a term? Is there anyone locally who could tutor?). Or if you have to have a qualification at the end of it all, what about considering BTEC First Certificate in Music? There's enough flexibility in the units you choose to meet individual needs, and the content is much more open for you to determine.

I like David's idea of doing something that picks up on your local musical cultures. Even if you are tied to GCSE, this should give you enough leeway to build up some compositions and performances.

Hi Caroline

This is a really interesting discussion topic – and I hope it generates more responses.

In terms of addressing your classroom challenges, perhaps a personalised, project based learning environment is one you should be considering? I’m finding the work that David Price is doing for Learning Futures very helpful with this. Have a read about his experiences in San Diego at http://davidpricesblog.blogspot.com I think there is much we can take from this.

You say that space is limited, so learning beyond the classroom needs to be considered. The other obvious space your students have access to is their own homes. Can you use ICT to bridge the gap here by using the internet to make resources available to students beyond the classroom. (See James Cross December editorial blog on this site for some ideas)
http://www.teachingmusic.org.uk/r/TeachingMusicEditorialArchive


At the moment, I am working with some G&T students in Lancashire on a composition project. This has been set up by the music service and myself. Lancashire Music Service made contact with the G&T team from the LEA’s School Improvement service – and they have helped with this.

Finally have a look at GCSE Composition Popular Song by ian_1969 on this site. Might be worth getting in touch with Ian?

Hope this helps!