Curriculum Statement - Music

Intent

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity.  As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with the music, allowing them to compose and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon. (The National Curriculum)

Music teaching at Christ Church First School aims to follow the specifications of the National Curriculum, providing a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum and ensuring the progressive development of musical concepts, knowledge and skills. At Christ Church First School, we believe that music plays an integral role in helping children to feel part of a community. Therefore, opportunities are provided for all children to create, play, perform and enjoy music both in class and to an audience. Through worship and performances, children showcase their talent and their understanding of performing with awareness of others. Lessons enable children to develop their skills, appreciate a wide variety of music and begin to appraise a wide range of musical genres.

The aims of our Music curriculum are to develop pupils who:

  • Enjoy and have an appreciation for Music
  • Listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, cultures, styles and traditions.
  • Can sing and use their voices to create different effects.
  • Create and compose music, both on their own and with others.
  • Use a range of musical language.
  • Make judgements and express personal preferences about the quality and style of music.
  • Take part in performances with an awareness of audience.

Implementation

Music teaching at Christ Church First School delivers the requirements of the National Curriculum supported by the Music Express scheme of work. The scheme of work ensures progression of skills and knowledge and this is supplemented by specialist teacher subject knowledge.  With the exception of Early Years, Music lessons are broken down into half termly units of work and an emphasis is placed on musical vocabulary, allowing children to talk about pieces of music using the correct terminology.

Each unit of work has an on-going musical learning focus and usually follow the sequence of:

  • Listen and Appraise
  • Musical activities linked to this week’s skill
  • Playing instruments
  • Composition
  • Perform and share

Within the EYFS setting, music is an integral part of children’s learning journey. Rhyme and rhythm are utilised through the learning of phonics, mathematics and topic-related songs. Children learn a wide range of songs and rhymes and develop skills for performing together. Singing and music making opportunities are used frequently to embed learning, develop musical awareness and to demonstrate how music can be used to express feelings.

Children in Year 4 benefit from whole class specialist teaching in order to learn to play the guitar. This is delivered by the music teacher. These lessons allow the children the opportunity to learn to play the guitar as part of a group and to engender a love of music learning. Throughout the sessions, the interrelated elements of music are developed.

Performance is at the heart of musical teaching and learning at Christ Church First School and pupils participate in a range of performances during their learning journey with us. These include Harvest celebrations, Christmas plays and nativities, Easter performances and a Leavers’ performance (Year 4). Pupils also take part in singing assemblies.  Pupils who are confident are encouraged to perform solo.  Parents are invited and welcomed to watch all of these performances whether at school or outside of school, for example at the local church.

At Christ Church First School, pupils also have the opportunity to participate in musical activities that supplement our music curriculum. Pupils in Year 3 have the opportunity to learn to play the guitar within an afterschool club led by the Music specialist.  Pupils also have the opportunity to join the school choir which is open on a weekly basis to children from Years 1 to 4.  The school choir and Guitar Club also have the opportunity to perform in school performances, carol concerts and community events.  Pupils in the school choir focus on singing in unison, developing harmony, solo performances and having fun!  Both music clubs are always popular and often over-subscribed.

 

Impact

Impact of our Music Curriculum is measured by:

  • Pupils being able to demonstrate progressive and embedded skills.
  • Pupils being able to talk as Musicians about music using the correct musical vocabulary and terms.
  • Pupils being able to demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills that are contained within each unit.

Impact is measured using the following methods:

  • Pupil voice through discussions and interviews
  • Curriculum monitoring
  • Success/progress during each session
  • Photo/video evidence of the pupils’ practical learning
  • Uptake in after-school Music clubs
  • End of year attainment