Our Intent:
- Our approach to teaching Music is grounded in the three elements of our school vision: relationships, an innovative approach to teaching and having the highest expectations.
- Our aim is to inspire and challenge our children, through a safe and happy learning environment, to achieve excellent standards in Music including all aspects of the National Curriculum objectives for Music, in line with guidance provided in the recent Model Music Curriculum in order to support our Music teaching to be 'beyond the statutory requirements'.
- Our innovative approaches are aimed at ensuring that all children, regardless of background or circumstance, are inspired and enthused about Music, building their confidence to pose questions, experiment, perform in front of others, have their own opinions and therefore further extend their musical knowledge.
- We do this by ensuring that the learning is real, relevant and purposeful, including opportunities to watch performances, visit theatres and listen and appreciate music. This is to ensure that all children, particularly those who are disadvantaged, have universal rich experiences and access to cultural capital to support their musical knowledge and understanding. The pandemic has also impacted this for all our children.
- To listen and appreciate a wide range of music, including live performances, through a safe and happy environment.
- To develop children’s awareness and appreciation of different genres of music and how this has evolved over time.
- For pupils to be equipped with knowledge about a range of diverse composers and how music reflects some key events in history.
- To understand how music can be used as a unique form of communication that can change and impact the way we feel, think and act.
- To equip our children with the knowledge and skills they need to become confident composers and performers.
- To prepare and inspire our children for further learning in Music in secondary school and beyond.
Our Implementation:
- In music lessons, children learn under four main areas: performing (using instruments and singing), composing (making up their own sections of music), transcribing (writing music down) and describing (using the inter-related dimensions of music) The children learn knowledge and skills relevant to their age and they build and develop these skills as they move through the school. We follow the National Curriculum for Music to ensure correct coverage.
- In EYFS, Music is taught through a play-based curriculum that encourages the children to explore different environmental sounds, vocal sounds and sounds created by objects. Daily singing sessions are led by adults and children use songs and rhymes to support their learning in other areas of the curriculum.
- Poetry Basket is used in EYFS, providing children with weekly high quality poems that they can describe and respond to. Children in EYFS are also supported to compose and perform their own poems and songs.
- Music is taught discretely in KS1 and KS2, for one hour per week. Where possible, the themes are linked to ‘Learning Missions’. The curriculum is mapped from Expressive Arts and Design in EYFS to Year 6. The curriculum progresses each year (See curriculum progression document).
- Our curriculum design in Music incorporates local links with community organisations, so that musical learning is relevant for our children and can be applied to real life contexts.
- There are regular opportunities for children to perform and compose their own music, applying their skills as musicians.
- All children across school are taught by a music specialist for at least one half term a year. Teachers observe specialist teaching, which provides essential CPD for teaching staff.
- Knowledge organisers are used to ensure key knowledge and vocabulary is introduced. Teachers ensure that knowledge organisers build on previous learning and that pupils remember their prior learning.
- Music is used alongside our daily Collective Worship. With a wide range of composers and styles of music begin played to the children as they enter assemblies. Music is carefully chosen, and can reflect current values and themes within our Collective Worships. Children are encouraged to respond and express themselves to the music they listen to; whether this is through dance, having time to reflect or by singing along.
- Our Christmas play contains singing performances from the whole school, as well as performances from the musicians within our school.
- Children From Year 1 to Year 6 describe and respond to high quality poetry within their English lessons and are given opportunities to compose and perform their own poetry.
- The Opportunities Pledge ensures that every child has access to a wide range of opportunities that enhance the curriculum and extend their musical skills and knowledge, these include participating in the school choir and performing to a large audience as part of Young Voices.
- Weekly singing club with Salvation Army to develop the children's listening and appreciating as well as performing knowledge and skills.
Our impact:
- Pupils speak passionately about music they have listened to and music that they have played and enjoy their sessions each week.
- Pupils are inspired by music and show resilience and determination when learning to play and instrument.
- Pupils have a good understanding of different genres of music.
- Pupils can access and follow an ambitious curriculum that has our vision for exceptionally high expectations as a driver.
- Standards in books and assessment outcomes are very strong
- Music is viewed as a creative and collaborative experience by all and takes place as a shared experience.
HW Primary Music
Our music curriculum is supported by Hayley Watkinson, Primary Music Specialist.
All KS1 and KS2 children in our school will be taught by Hayley at points throughout the year, and Nursery and Reception children will be taught my Miss Emma Fraser (Music Subject Lead), so that children receive specialist music provision. This also provides a wealth of CPD for teachers and support staff. The children love their music sessions!