OCR GCSE Music: Strategies for Success in the 2026 Exams

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Brand-New for 2025, this course will provide OCR GCSE Music teachers with strategies to help students excel in the 2026 exams. The course focuses on addressing the challenges of the OCR specification, refining students’ performance, composition, and listening skills, and preparing them for both coursework and exam components. Teachers will gain practical guidance on lesson planning, assessment preparation, and supporting students to achieve their full potential.

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BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

• Understand the key features and demands of the OCR GCSE Music specification
• Learn strategies to develop students’ performance, composition, and listening skills
• Gain insights into how to maximise marks in the performance and composition coursework components
• Explore ways to teach listening and appraising effectively to prepare students for the exam
• Take away resources to use in your teaching and assessment preparation

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PROGRAMME

10.00am Mastering the OCR GCSE Music Specification

• Overview of the OCR specification: key challenges and how to address them
• Reviewing characteristics of high-performing students’ work in all components
• Structuring lessons to balance coursework preparation and exam practice

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10.55am

Break

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11.15am Teaching Performance Effectively

• Supporting students to select suitable pieces for solo and ensemble performances
• Techniques to build confidence and refine performance skills
• Understanding the assessment criteria and how to maximise marks in performance coursework
• Strategies to support students struggling with technical accuracy or expression

 

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12.15pm Developing Composition Skills

• Helping students develop creative and structured compositions
• Teaching techniques to use musical elements effectively across styles and genres
• Exploring how to use the OCR assessment criteria to guide students’ work
• Supporting students in evaluating and refining their compositions

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1.00pm

Lunch

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2.00pm Listening and Appraising: Preparing for the Exam

• Approaches to teaching the set works and developing contextual understanding
• Strategies for improving students’ listening and analytical skills
• Tackling extended questions: structuring responses and using key terminology effectively
• Using practice papers and exemplar answers to prepare students for success

 

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2.45pm Planning for Long-Term Success

• Structuring the two-year course to build confidence and skills progressively
• Using formative assessments and feedback to guide students’ progress
• Supporting all learners, including high-achieving students and those requiring extra help

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3.15pm Final Q&A and Reflection

• Addressing any outstanding challenges or questions
• Sharing key takeaways and next steps for implementation

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3.30pm Depart