LNF Cymru Literacy and numeracy for Wales

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GCSE Music

The literacy load sits in the Unit 3 listening paper, where learners give short and extended typed answers on set works and unseen extracts using a long glossary of musical terms, and in the Unit 2 reflective log, which asks them to evaluate their own composing. Numeracy is built into reading and writing music: note values as fractions of a beat, simple and compound time signatures, counting intervals, numbering chords and working to set timings and tempos in BPM. The biggest thing Key Stage 3 should build is the habit of listening closely and then writing precise, well-organised sentences that use the correct musical term, backed by secure rhythm notation.

First taught
September 2025
Amount of literacy work
Medium
Amount of numeracy work
Medium
Specification
Open the WJEC specification (PDF)
How this GCSE is assessed
  • Unit 1: Performing: Non-examination assessment, performance of 4-6 minutes (at least two pieces), marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC, 32.5%, 78 marks
  • Unit 2: Composing: Non-examination assessment, 2 compositions (3-6 minutes total recommended) and a reflective log, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC, 32.5%, 78 marks
  • Unit 3: Appraising: Digital only examination 1 hour 30 minutes, marked by WJEC, 35%, 84 marks

Skills that use Communicating with symbols

  1. Counting intervals and numbering chords

    Assessed: In the exam

    Learners must understand roman numerals for chords I to vi and contemporary chord symbols, read keys with up to four sharps or flats, and name intervals from a semitone to a major 7th. All of these rely on counting steps and working with a numbered symbol system.

    Numeracy: Communicating with symbols, Conceptual understanding

    Getting pupils ready

    Year 7
    Pupils count letter names on a keyboard to find a 3rd and a 5th above a note, then build C, F and G chords by missing out every other note.
    Year 8
    Pupils number the notes of the C major scale 1 to 8, label chords I, IV and V in roman numerals and play a 12 bar blues from a numbered chord chart.
    Year 9
    Pupils count semitones to tell a major 3rd from a minor 3rd, then convert a chord sequence between roman numerals and chord symbols such as C, F, G7 and Am.
    Show the specification wording and the LNF statements

    Where it is in the specification: Unit 3, Section 1.3.4, page 15; Appendix B, page 27

    “roman numerals for chords I, ii, iii, IV, V and vi in a major key”
    Progression step 3

    • I can use appropriate notation, symbols and units of measurement.

    • I can represent a concept in different ways, flowing between different representations including verbal, concrete, visual, digital and abstract.

    Progression step 4

    • I can use appropriate notation, symbols and units of measurement, including compound measures.

    • I can make connections so that mathematical concepts can be built on and deepened.

    Progression step 5

    • I can use appropriate notation, symbols and units of measurement, including compound measures.

    • I can make connections so that mathematical concepts can be built on and deepened.

Good to know

Links with other GCSEs

Appendix A ticks all four literacy strands and three numeracy strands (all except statistics and probability) across Units 1 to 3, pages 22 and 23.

Source: WJEC GCSE Music specification, teaching from 2025, for award from 2027, © WJEC CBAC Ltd. 2024 (no version number printed).