Intent

Children and teachers engage enthusiastically in music and recognise that it as a way of bringing the whole community together.  Over time, children develop their repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs from a range of cultures and understand how to control their breathing and posture.  They develop knowledge of the different musical elements and structures and recognise how different choices create different effects, both in their roles as composers and listeners.  They experience playing a range of tuned and un-tuned instruments and experience composing and recording their ideas in different ways.  They learn about the history of music and value different musical traditions from across the world.

Implementation

Musical learning is developed in two ways.  The formal curriculum provides a series of learning journeys which are effectively designed to build on prior understanding and work towards a defined end point.  They are based on the latest understanding of cognition to ensure children learn as effectively as possible.  These discrete lessons are taught by both musical specialists and non-specialist teachers and curriculum planning recognises the range of subject knowledge and skills different teachers bring to the subject.   The informal curriculum provides a broad range of experiences and musical opportunities and builds links between different subjects (musical tables songs, songs to support learning in other subjects like history and PSHE, moving and dancing to music in PE etc).  Weekly singing assemblies provide opportunities to build the children’s repertoire of songs and skills and understand how ensembles work.  Knowledge of musical elements, structures and traditions are reinforced and revisited regularly through assembly to help embed deep learning.  Performances such as Christmas plays and End of Key Stage graduations provide opportunities to hone performance skills and reinforces the importance of music in the life of the school. Extra-curricular activities such as Recorder/Ukulele club and peripatetic music lessons also provide children with opportunities to develop their learning.

Impact

The impact of teaching music is evident across the school.  Children often choose to sing at playtimes and singing and music can be heard across the school throughout the day.   Whole-school and parental engagement is improved through performances which are well attended.  Participation in music develops wellbeing, promotes listening and develops concentration. It supports cohesion across the community and supports the school provision of SMSC.  We want to ensure that music is enjoyed by teachers and pupils across school and encourage them to build a life-long love of learning in music.  Teachers make formal assessments of children’s progress and attainment in music as part of the annual report to parents.