Intent

The intent of our Music curriculum aims for every child to have access to high-quality, practical and engaging musical experiences.  Pupils will develop the self-confidence, skills, knowledge and understanding to develop a lifelong love of music, whilst also providing a secure foundation that enables them to take music further should they wish to.

Implementation

We teach a song-based music curriculum provided by an investment into the Sing Up scheme of work, which enables children to express their individuality and creativity as well as developing mastery in the key processes in Music as specified by the National Curriculum and National plan for Music. Our Music follows a clear progression of skills and coverage of genres, styles and the interrelated dimensions of Music with a focus on a different piece of music and style each half term. Throughout this process, the children will develop knowledge and understanding of music techniques and artists that are famous for using them. In addition, each month will also have a music composer focus for the whole school through ‘Musician of the Month’, this has been developed to ensure an exploration of a range of famous key musicians across their time in school which includes music appreciation to broaden and deepen our pupils understanding of music and musicians throughout history.

• We have a whole class set of glockenspiels and recorders to enable every pupil to learn to play this instrument in school.
• Peripatetic music lessons provided in woodwind, guitar, violin, piano, drums weekly in school time through Berkshire Music Trust with Music teachers occasionally leading assemblies to inspire children.
• The school is a member of ‘Musician of the Month’, each class has a dedicated time each week to explore the monthly musician and their music thinking musically and discovering a varied range of musicians across different eras and musical styles.
• Outside achievements in Music e.g. achievement of grades or performance.
• We have a purpose-built sound-proofed music studio with permanent piano and drum kit set up for pupil use.
• Our Wednesday Collective Worship is ‘Singing Time’ with its dedicated prayer, where we include rounds and part singing.
• Singing is included in daily Collective Worship plans, prayers at lunch and end of day are sung, and a termly plan for singing ensures a broad range of different types of songs including rounds and part singing.
• Pupils are invited to participate in school choir, Junior Music Festival at The Hexagon, Whole School pantomime at the Corn Exchange/Hexagon and attendance at Newbury Spring Festival.  Additional opportunities are offered through our enrichment curriculum such as Pangbourne College and whole school musical performances by Berkshire Music Trust.
• All classes lead a school performance which includes a significant singing element.
• At the end of each term every class performs in the Music Showcase Assembly celebrating musical development and performance.

Inclusivity

Valuing every child as a unique individual, teaching and learning will be adapted to ensure equitable provision, representing all protective characteristics.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development

Within our Music curriculum we explore and make connections with a balance of spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects in order to prepare our children for life in modern Britain and our diverse world.

Progression of knowledge

We have created comprehensive documents which include our whole school curriculum progression for Music. 

For copyright reasons, this document is not published on our website, but is available on request.

Pupil voice about Music

'I enjoy playing the instruments and listening to music, especially orchestral pieces composed by people like Beethoven.' (Year 6)

'Music makes me feel happy.  I love listening to lots of different types of music'    (Year 5)

'I like playing the piano because it is a good feeling when you get something right.  Flute is almost the same but it's far harder' (Year 5)

'I love the beat of particular songs and I feel the music really connects with your body and gets you moving' (Year 4)

'Music isn't right or wrong - you can interpret it differently.' (Year 3)

'I like performing.  It's scary singing a solo, but fun!' (Year 2)

'I do loud & quiet music.  We count 1, 2, 3, 4. (Year 1)

Useful documents and websites

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/ten-pieces - a great resource for listening to range of classical music

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-music-programmes-of-study