Curriculum Overview:
All subjects within Creative Technologies use a range of cross-curricular skills such as: English, mathematics and ICT in order to produce a range of work. School-based projects promote teamwork, resilience and confidence. The development and implementation of more community-based projects, as well as workshops and trips. Provide our students with cultural and historical links, as well as an insight into local and British values. Our subject is integral to student well-being and mental health, both of which are a focus throughout schemes of learning. We want to prepare students for life outside of the school environment and equip them with tools that they can use to practice mindfulness and reduce stress in their everyday lives.
Key Skills and Dispositions:
Problem Solving: Students will develop critical thinking and ingenuity, to help them take responsibility for their thinking and actions, to think critically and deeply before acting. For students to question and ponder why, how come and can it change?
Teamworking: Students will develop an understanding of working in the wider world, as well as navigating the ever-changing labour market in the 21st century. To build these skills, students will need exposure to open discussions and experiences that can help them feel comfortable communicating with others. School trips, debating sessions, visits to a workplace or Q&As with a local employer are all good ways of showing students open mindsets in action. Encouraging students to work together on a creative challenge and allowing them to reflect on the learning they take from the lessons/tasks/activities, this will enable them to develop their understanding of (Democracy). Help them to better understand what it means to be a part of an increasingly collaborative and connected world. By using what they learn repeatedly and in different, personally meaningful ways, students will find it much easier to retain and retrieve what they learn in the classroom. It will also help them better understand the importance of certain skills in their everyday and future lives. Try providing opportunities for students to “transfer” school learning to real-life situations. Students need to know not only how to find accurate information, but also how to critically analyse its reliability and usefulness. Building research-based tasks and projects into your teaching will provide a basis to develop these essential 21st century skills for work.
Key Themes:
- Food
- Portraiture
- Aboriginal
- Sea Animals
- Modern artists
- Natural Forms
- Mexican Day of the Dead
- Food Health and Safety
- Healthy Balance Eating
- Impact of food production on our environment
- Different Job roles within Hospitality and Catering
- Factors that affect food choices
- Exploring Art through Textiles
- Textile design
- Solving problems through Design
- Sustainability
- Nature
- Documentary
- Musical culture
- History of music
Key Stage 3 Overview:
In Key Stage 3 students work through a wide range of Art specialisms such as Photography and Three Dimensional Art, as well as Design Technology disciplines such as Music Technology to Food Technology.
| Creative | Design Technology |
| Art | Three-Dimensional construction |
| Art Textiles | Food Technology |
| Art Photography | Music Technology |
| Applied Art | Drama |
| Music | Product Design |
We can offer all the above subject through rotating the KS3 groups every 8 to 9 weeks. This enables all students to get a good grounding and understanding of each unique subject within the creative Technology curriculum. The added benefit is students can use the many crosses over skills in multiple subject to further embed their understanding capabilities.
In Year 7 we focus on teaching as many new skills as possible that naturally feed from one to the other. In year 8 we reteach and add new skills and knowledge helping our students stretch their capabilities. In year 9 we give student ownership letting them take more control over their learning fostering a more KS4 learning experience.
Key Stage 4 Overview:
In Key Stage 4 students will have selected from the following options which sit in bucket 3 in Progress 8:
| Creative | Design Technology |
| GCSE Unendorsed Art | BTEC Engineering |
| GCSE Art Textiles | Hospitality and Catering |
| GCSE Art Photography | RSL Music Technology |
| GCSE Fine Art | NCFE Business Studies |
| RSL Music | GCSE Product Design |
Students through their Key Stage 3 education will be prepare and able to access the increased academic rigor of the level 2 subjects above. The wide range of GCSE and Vocational course will enable any learner to make progress into their chosen Level 3 education. Be it an apprenticeship or sixth form or college.
Students will be given opportunities to experience trips and workshops to support the content covered in the subjects. As well as give our student real world experiences, which will help make our students more prepare to become part of our modern and ever-changing society.
Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Academic year that this summary covers | 2025 – 2026 |
| Date this summary was published | September 2025 |
| Date this summary will be reviewed | January 2026 |
| Name of the school music lead | Tim Davine |
| Name of school leadership team member with responsibility for music | Marie Hazel |
| Name of local music hub | Bristol Beacon Music Centre |
| Name of other music education organisation(s) (if partnership in place) |
Part A: Curriculum music
At KS3 all students are taught music once a week and at KS4 we offer a BTEC Music option that is taught three lessons per week. Music education is an essential part of a well-rounded education, as it nurtures creativity, self-expression, and confidence in young people. Learning music develops a wide range of transferable skills, such as discipline, teamwork, and problem-solving, which benefit students beyond the classroom. It also supports cognitive development, with research showing links between studying music and improved literacy, numeracy, and memory skills. For many students, music lessons provide an outlet for emotional wellbeing and resilience, offering a way to process feelings and connect with others on a deeper level. The curriculum at BLC provides opportunities for music throughout KS3 and KS4. All KS3 students have weekly music lessons for a third of each year, in rotation with lessons in Drama and IT. In addition, all KS3 students study music technology modules as part of their Creative Technology lessons (three hours per fortnight, on rotation). This curriculum enables pupils to develop valuable skills required in many different industries in media. In year 7 the students explore composition, pitch, rhythm and notation while being introduced to the ‘Elements of Music’. This enables students to become confident, creative and collaborative in their approach to exploring the subject knowledge and associated practical skills. Making music education accessible to everyone is essential to ensure inclusivity and equality in learning. Not all students have access to instruments at home, so at BLC we aim to play a crucial role in providing these opportunities. In year 8 the student study contemporary popular music including: Blues, Rock n Roll, Rock, Indie and Jazz. Giving the opportunity for pupils to experiment with instruments and styles of music that they can appreciate. In year 9 the basic curriculum covers Film music, Classical and Hip Hop. However, year 9 is about finding an individual style and instrument so they can have the option to take their studies forward into KS4. For pupils who choose to further their music education at KS4, we strive to build an understanding of music that goes beyond simply learning to play an instrument or sing; it involves exploring rhythm, melody, harmony, and the cultural contexts that shape different styles of music. When students engage with music in this way, they develop a deeper appreciation of its role in human expression and communication. Through the BTEC certificate the students complete a very practical modular Scheme of Work that supports critical thinking, creativity, and empathy, as pupils encounter diverse musical traditions and perspectives.
Part B: Co-curricular music
Students at BLC can join our weekly extra-curricular Band Club. This club gives students a chance to enjoy music and show their talents. It helps them learn discipline through practice and teaches teamwork since everyone must play together. Joining the band also builds confidence, engenders a sense of belonging and makes students feel proud to be part of their school. Annual winter concerts offer many opportunities for students to grow and shine. It gives them a chance to perform in front of an audience, which builds confidence and improves their stage presence. Students can show their musical, singing, or acting talents while learning the value of teamwork and practice. The concert also strengthens school community and creates lasting memories for both performers and the audience. BLC school musicians also can take part in termly celebration events throughout the year. A newly formed (in 2025) extra-curricular choir are developing their readiness to perform at school events and concerts.
Part C: Musical experiences
Bristol Community Awards: Last Year we had our school band perform at the Bristol Hotel venue in the heart of Bristol City, the student band, consisting of year 11 and year 9 students performed to over 300 people in glamourous event where BLC students received awards for community projects. Recording Studio: Fully functioning recording studio Prime Agency: Music performance and PSHE well-being sessions. The rock band “Runaway Club” provide schools and colleges with a live performance, followed on with a talk on Mental Health, Discrimination / Bullying & a Q&A for pupils. DJing workshops: and performance opportunities at school
In the future
Music lessons: Peripatetic instrumental/vocal lessons are available through the Bristol Beacon Music Centre for students who want focus and advance on their chosen instrument. Department: We have many performance opportunities throughout the school year. Our goal is to over the next few years is to get a whole school musical performance, this will be in collaboration with Drama department. A long-term additional goal is the formation of a Performing Arts Department, where all performers can collaborate under the umbrella of one department.
Raising awareness: improving visibility, and sparking curiosity in younger years.
Curriculum Enrichment: Make KS3 music more practical, tech-driven, and linked to popular culture (use DAWs, beat-making, film/game music projects). Offer flexible assessments that celebrate creativity (songwriting, remixing, podcast/audio editing).
KS3 Engagement: Year 8 “Music Tech taster units” (beat production, gaming soundtracks, live recording). Year 9 “pre-BTEC pathway project” — students complete a mini-portfolio mirroring Level 2 work.
KS4 Recruitment Strategy: Continue to raise the profile across the school with student performances and demons.