GCSE Music - Teaching from 2025

The construct of the GCSE Music qualification is based on the Welsh Government subject specific considerations for the Expressive Arts. The qualification will:

• through the creative process, allow learners to explore, respond to stimuli and create and reflect on their own work while engaging in rich, authentic experiences. 

The following concepts for the GCSE Music qualification are based on the Welsh Government statements of what matter for Expressive Arts:

• exploring the Expressive Arts is essential to developing artistic skills and knowledge and it enables learners to become curious and creative individuals
• responding and reflecting, both as artist and audience, is a fundamental part of learning in the Expressive Arts
• creating combines skills and knowledge, drawing on the senses, inspiration and imagination.

The GCSE Music qualification will support the Curriculum for Wales by supporting the principles of progression by:

• encouraging learners to explore, experience, interpret, create and respond to increasingly complex meaning
• developing an increased sophistication of conceptual learning
• more sophisticated use of relevant skills and the ability to transfer existing skills and knowledge into new contexts.