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.

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 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 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).