Music - linear

Applications Open: - Friday 28th November 2025

Applications Close: - Friday 6 February 2026 - Please note - If you do not complete your application fully by the deadline of Friday 6 February 2026, we may not be able to consider it until August when GCSE results are published.

How to Apply:

Internal students - Applications to join our Sixth Form, via Applicaa, can be made via this link Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend (applicaa.com). PLEASE NOTE that you should use an e-mail address that you check regularly as the Applicca system will contact you with updates about your application.

External students - Year 11 Students from other schools applying to Mayfield Grammar School should apply via KentChoices using this link - https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login. Please note - After sending your application, you'll receive a welcome email from Applicaa asking for further information.

If you applied to us before the deadline but have not heard from us for a while please bear with us, we are working through the applications and will get back to you with our decision and advice as soon as we can. We will continue to send messages via Applicaa so please logon from time to time to check if we need some additional information from you

Applications After the deadline

Students who are interested in applying to Mayfield Grammar School for Sixth Form but have missed our application process can contact us once they have their GCSE results in August. After the publication of GCSE examinations results in August we ask that you make an appointment to discuss your application with the Sixth Form team. You need to call 01474 352896 or email admissions@mgsg.kent.sch.uk. Please check you have met our entry criteria for the subjects you want to study and read our Options Booklet under the Sixth Form tab on our website for our general entry criteria. If you meet our criteria, please get in touch, and bring your original documents for GCSE Results Summary and Birth Certificate as ID when you are offered an appointment.

Entry Requirements: -

Entry to the Sixth Form is dependent on demonstrating achievements which show general breadth of ability as well as depth in the specific courses chosen for study in the Sixth Form. For this reason you will need to have achieved all the following:

1. A minimum of 6 GCSEs at Grade 5 and above, preferably on the higher papers, in discrete subjects, with the exception of Combined Science, which counts as two subjects.

2. Grade 5 or above in GCSE English and GCSE Mathematics.

3. To have met the requirements of the individual subjects that you intend to study at A Level/Level 3, which are all, with the exception of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Languages, a minimum of Grade 6 at GCSE on the Higher papers. This is essential.

The most important skills that you require are the ability to perform to a good standard (at least Grade 4) on your chosen instrument and the ability to listen to and discuss music critically.

All students follow three components. Component 1 (Performance), Component 2 (Composition) and Component 3 (Analysis). Components 1 and 2 can be taken as one of two pathways:

Option A: Specialism in Performance

Performance (35% of qualification): A performance consisting of a minimum of three pieces with a total duration of 10-12 minutes. At least one of these pieces must be as a soloist. The other pieces may be either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble or a combination of both. One piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one area of study. At least one other piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one other, different area of study. The performance component will be assessed by a visiting examiner.

Composing (25% of qualification): Two compositions, one of which must reflect the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition and be in response to a brief set by Eduqas. Learners will have a choice of four set briefs. The second composition is a free composition.

Option B: Specialism in Composition

Composition (35% of qualification): Non-examination assessment: externally assessed by Eduqas.

Three compositions, one of which must reflect the musical techniques and conventions associated with the Western Classical Tradition and be in response to a brief set by Eduqas. Learners will have a choice of four set briefs. The second composition must reflect the musical characteristics of one different area of study (i.e. not the Western Classical Tradition) while the third composition is a free composition. Total duration of compositions: 8-10 minutes.

Performance (25% of qualification): Total duration of performances: 6-8 minutes

A performance consisting of a minimum of two pieces with a total duration of 8-10 minutes. The performance can be either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble or a combination of both. One piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one area of study. The performance component will be assessed by a visiting examiner.

Component 3: Analysis (40% of qualification). Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes (approximately). Three Areas of Study will be covered as follows:

• Area of study A (Compulsory): The Western Classical Tradition (The Development of the Symphony 1750-1900) which includes two set works, one to be studied in detail and the other for general study.

A choice of one of the following: (this decision will be made with the cohort in mind, all students in a year group must study the same area of study)

• Area of Study B: Rock and Pop

• Area of Study C: Musical Theatre

• Area of Study D: Jazz

There are no set works for the three Areas of Study listed above, an in-depth study of the stylistic conventions of music in those broad styles will be covered

All students will study either:

• Into the Twentieth Century (including two set works)

Or

• Into the Twenty-first Century (including two set works)

In total, four set works will be studied and an in-depth understanding of the Areas of Study will be gained in preparation for the examination which will include listening and essay questions.

Extra-curricular opportunities

It will be advantageous for learners to become involved in the rich programme of musical opportunities we offer, including weekly ensemble rehearsals, bi-termly concerts and other performance opportunities. The experiences gained in doing so aid preparation for the performing and composing components and assist students’ understanding of a wide variety of styles in preparation for the Analysis examination in Component 3.

Grade 6 in GCSE Music. (Competence in reading music notation and instrumental/vocal proficiency equivalent to at least Grade 4 standard is advised along with the minimum entry requirement.)

University requirements: There are a wealth of Music, Music Technology and related courses available. These are some of the typical requirements: Oxford AAA, Durham AAB, Sussex ABB, Canterbury Christ Church BBC, Oxford Brookes BCC.

In addition, ABRSM, Trinity Guildhall and Rock School Music grades above Grade 5 achieve UCAS points.

Other details

Music works very well with a wide variety of other subjects and teaches a range of disciplines. Students often study Music along with Drama, English, Mathematics, Sciences, Languages and Humanities.

Links to Further Education

Professional Performance; Music with drama; Music and Theatre Studies; Musical Theatre; Performing Arts; Teaching; Contemporary Music Production; Electronic Music Production; Modern and Contemporary Music; Music Business and Innovation; Film and Screen Studies

Links to Careers

Performance; Teaching; Music Production; Media; Music, Drama and Dance; Music Technology; Business Management with Music; Musical Theatre; Commercial Music Production and Recording; Economics and Music Technology; Computer Science and Music; Performance Practice and Events Management