• Notice to Parkway Parents & Carers

    Parkway Re-Opening 21st October 2021

    Parkway and Main base will reopen to all staff and pupils tomorrow (Thurs 21st October). The repairs have been completed and the heating and hot water systems have been restored. The JBA Team

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  • Thrive Training Offer

    Childhood & Adolescence Licensed Practitioner Courses

    Thrive® promotes children’s and young people’s positive mental health by helping adults know how to be and what to do in response to their differing and sometimes distressed behaviour. The Thrive Approach® is appropriate for anyone working with children and young people - such as in education (primary schools, secondary schools, special schools and pupil referral units), social care, healthcare, local authorities and community groups, as well as for parents and carers. Based on established neuroscience, attachment theory and child development, the Thrive Approach provides training and an online profiling and action-planning tool to equip adults with the knowledge, insights and resources needed to develop the relationships that help children and young people to flourish and learn. The cost of this course has been heavily subsidised by Birmingham City Council for Birmingham Schools and is available for a limited time only.

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  • The Art Yard - Dovedale Pupil Feature

    Dovedale pupil's work selected for gallery relaunch

    One of our amazing Dovedale pupils, Abigail M-L was chosen for her artwork to be displayed at The Art Yard's relaunch on Monday evening! Abigail has a real passion for art and her work is outstanding - all of us at JBA are immensely proud of this achievement and of Abigail's continued enthusiasm for the creative arts. What a wonderful, talented young person we are working with. Congratulations and keep up the creativity! #ThinkDifferently #TheArtYard #JBA #BeCreative

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James Brindley School - A Bridge For Learning

Subjects

Music

Qualifications 

RSL Level 2 Certificate in Performance for Music Practitioners

RSL Level 2 Certificate in Technology & Composition for Music Practitioners

Arts Award Bronze (Level 1)

All pupils will aim to complete the Level 2 certificate in either Performance or Technology & Composition by the end of Y11. There is the option to move onto the Level 1 Arts Award for any pupils struggling with the Level 2 qualification. All three qualification pathways are coursework based, there is no pressure of examinations. 

 How is the course assessed

Level 2 Rockschool - Graded at Pass/Merit/Distinction - A combination of Internally and externally assessed coursework units:

  • Internal Assessment – Coursework - This will take place in school and will be marked by the teacher.
  • External Assessment – Coursework - This will take place in school but will be marked by Rockschool.

Level 1 Arts Award - Graded at Pass - 4 parts of a portfolio completed throughout Y10 & 11.

  • Part A - Participate in an arts activity
  • Part B - Visit an arts event and review it 
  • Part C - Research the career of an artist
  • Part D - Share a skill with someone
 
 

 How can you support your child at home

It would be extremely beneficial for your child to have their chosen instrument available at home to refine their skills. Unfortunately the school does not have the resources to supply each pupil with an instrument so that they are able to practise at home. Most instruments can be sourced as cheap as £20 - £50 online and can be found even cheaper second hand.

Another valuable item for your child is a pair of over ear headphones. These are essential for practising instruments and using music technology to record any compositions they create (iPad's, PC's, Mixing Desk's).

For further advice on purchasing an instrument/pair of over ear headphones to aid your child’s learning, please contact Mr Sullivan on Class Dojo or via email (sullivanb@jamesbrindley.bham.sch.uk)

One key piece of equipment for music technologists is a pair of over ear (closed back) studio headphones. These are essential for pupils to create accurate mix downs of songs they are editing on computers or recording on mixing desks. Unfortunately the school does not have the resources to provide a pair of headphones for every pupil. These headphones can be purchased online for around £30.

Getting hold of music production software (DAW’s) is extremely easy nowadays. For Apple; Garageband is a free piece of software that can be downloaded.  For Windows; Presonus studio one 3 prime is another free piece of software. If your child has an iPad, iMac, Windows PC or Laptop available to them at home, please encourage them to experiment and create music at home. There are also lots of video tutorials on YouTube to help them along the way.

For further advice on purchasing over ear headphones or downloading music software to aid your child’s learning, please contact Mr Sullivan on Class Dojo or via email (sullivanb@jamesbrindley.bham.sch.uk)
 

 
 
 

 Extra-curricular Opportunities

JB Records - James Brindley Academy's own official record label. All three teaching centres are now setup with professional quality studio spaces, where learners can produce high quality records. Original records can also be released on all major streaming/download sites. 

Talent Competitions - There will be opportunities throughout the year for pupils to take part in a variety of talent competitions; song/lyric writing, artwork, music production. 

End of Term Performances - At the end of each term, pupils will be able to take part in group/solo performances in front of an audience. 

Break/Lunchtime Club - Access the music room will be available at break and lunch to practise. 

Singing Group - As part of our well-being offer, pupils will be able to join a singing group during well-being time. 

DJ Skills - Another well-being offer, pupils will learn how to mix and perform songs using DJ equipment.

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