Why music is at the heart of life at HKS

Current pressures in education mean that music is being squeezed out of the curriculum in far too many schools. As someone who had the opportunity to learn musical instruments at school and was able to take advantage of so many wonderful opportunities provided by the county, the benefits to me were enormous – namely allowing me to follow a career in music. There are proven benefits of learning a musical instrument:

• Strengthens bonds with others
• Strengthens memory and reading skills
• Playing makes you happy
• Playing music reduces anxiety and depression
• Musical training strengthens many of the brain’s functions.

At HKS, we are not allowing music to be squeezed out of our curriculum. In fact, quite the opposite – music is right at the heart of school life. All pupils from Day Nursery right through to year 9 have music lessons every week. A number of pupils then choose to take GCSE music as an option in year 10/11. We have a highly skilled team of peripatetic music staff who teach a variety of instruments at HKS each week – strings, woodwind, brass, guitar, drums, piano and voice. We work together with our music staff to encourage and help the children along their musical journey, offering them numerous opportunities along the way: orchestras, choirs, school productions and much more. We truly value music education and all it brings to our pupils and school community. Mrs J. Cain, Head of Music