Music Department

Eston Park has a vibrant Music Department.  We have many activities which take place outside  the classroom such as

  • Pop/ Rock band practice
  • Eston Park Wind Band
  • Keyboard Club
  • Eston Park Choir

Pupils also have instrumental lessons, taught by specialists, such as

  • Piano
  • Clarinet
  • Guitar
  • Drums
  • Vocals

Our annual Fame Academy event is also very popular.

Pupils are taken out of school to take part in extra-curricular events such as courses and competitions at The Sage, Gateshead.  At Christmas time the choir holds its annual fundraising event at Asda and also visits Briarwood Nursing Home to entertain the residents.

Students wishing to find jobs in education, advertising, sales, personnel, health care (Psychology), sound engineering, theatre studies, performing arts or any profession that requires self confidence and a positive image would find GCSE Music a very worthwhile option.

The department is made up of the following staff:

  • Mrs J Knight (Head of Music)
  • Mrs K While

Music GCSE may be used :

  • As an entry level for A Level Music, Performance Arts and other related courses at College or University
  • To persuade a future employer / Course Leader to accept you, the bright student who's clever enough to do MUSIC, over another applicant
  • To teach determination, perseverance and how to listen
    to improve motor skills and help students to use 27% more of your brain than any other subject
  • As an extra GCSE result for entry to any course or type of employment.

At Eston park we follow the A.Q.A. GCSE music syllabus, this consists of :

  • Studying the genre of, and entering a final composition on the theme of, 'Music For Special Occasions' (30% of final marks)
  • Creating a composition for a preset outside assignment during the last three months of the course (20% of final marks)
  • Completing a 2 hour listening and appraisal exam (25% of final marks)
  • Performing I solo and I ensemble piece, vocal or instrumental (25% of final marks)
  • The syllabus is 75% practical course work with the remaining 25% being exam based


Music GCSE course components include :

  • Trips to recording studios, theatres, productions, presentations and concerts
  • Working with electronic equipment such as guitars, recording decks, P.A. systems, microphones, electronic keyboards and computer software
  • Coursework is based on modern music such as 'Music for Dance' and 'The Popular Song Since 1960'. This is an opportunity for students to use their talents in performance and be free to make their own music.