LNF Cymru Literacy and numeracy for Wales

← All qualifications

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.

Awarding body
WJEC
Level
Level 1 and Level 2
First taught
September 2025
Amount of literacy work
Medium
Amount of numeracy work
Medium
Specification
Open the specification
How this qualification 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 Collaborative talk

  1. Giving and receiving spoken feedback

    Assessed: Taught, but not assessed

    The specification expects learners to grow in confidence giving and receiving feedback, and ensemble performers work without a conductor, so they must talk through rehearsal decisions. This is a learning experience and is not directly assessed.

    Literacy: Questioning, Collaborative talk, Listening as part of collaborative talk, Purpose

    Getting pupils ready

    Year 7
    Pupils give a partner one what went well and one even better if comment on a keyboard performance, using at least one music term.
    Year 8
    Small groups rehearse a class band piece without the teacher conducting, taking turns to lead a short discussion about balance and tempo.
    Year 9
    Pupils give a two-minute spoken introduction to their own composition, then answer questions from the class about their choices.
    Show the specification wording and the LNF statements

    Where it is in the specification: Opportunities for integration of learning experiences, page 16

    “develop confidence in giving and receiving feedback, promoting independent thinking, originality and creative resilience”
    Progression step 3

    • I can respond to others’ points of view by seeking clarity, summarising and explaining what I have heard, read or seen.

    • I can contribute to group discussion in different roles, taking responsibility for completing the task well.

    Progression step 4

    • I can respond to others' points of view with confidence and sensitivity, summarising and evaluating what I have heard, read or seen.

    • I can listen to and respond to others with questions, comments and suggestions in order to develop collaborative talk and reach compromise/consensus.

    Progression step 5

    • I can organise talk effectively to critically evaluate and respond to what I have heard, read or seen.

    • I can respond with confidence and sensitivity to the ideas of others in different collaborative situations, reflecting on information and ideas and asking relevant questions.

Good to know

Links with other qualifications

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).