Music

We make sure that all children are introduced to a range of composers and musicians so they can experience styles and genres that might be new to them. The Charanga Original Scheme of Work is being used from FS2 to Year 6 and the Charanga Model Music Curriculum Scheme is being introduced from Foundation Stage to Year 6 to ensure a wide exposure to different genres of music, with lots of practical opportunities to explore and develop as musicians and singers. Curriculum progression is clearly set out in our Progression of Skills planning document, which has been carefully structured to allow lots of opportunities for children to practice and embed key skills and concepts. Year 4 follow the Wider Opportunity Programme run by a music specialist teacher from Edsential. They follow the progression of skills and also learn the ukulele.

Teachers are provided with regular opportunities to develop their own subject knowledge through sharing good practice, peer observation, Charanga Professional Development  and visiting experts.

Teachers regularly assess pupils’ abilities to appraise, compose and perform a wide variety of music. Music is monitored throughout all year groups using a variety of strategies such as folder/book/video scrutinies, lesson observations and pupil interviews.

 Assessment is undertaken by the children which informs future teaching and improvements to planning as required. Final end of year assessments are made using assessment criteria that has been developed in line with the National Curriculum and Charanga Progression of Skills  thus identifying the level at which the child is working. Children in Foundation Stage are assessed within Expressive Arts and Design. Age related expectation levels are reported to parents at the end of the year.

By the end of Key Stage Two, we aim to develop musicians with a curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the validity and importance of all types of music, and an unbiased respect for the role that music may play in any person’s life. We are committed to ensuring children understand the value and importance of music in the wider community, and are able to use their musical skills, knowledge and experiences to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts.

Music reflects the culture and society we live in, and so the teaching and learning of music allows children to better understand the world they live in. It also plays an important part in enabling children to feel part of a community. They are given access to more unusual instruments to give them a wider learning experience of instruments that they might not come across in life, such as ukuleles, recorders and glockenspiels.

We encourage children to participate in a variety of musical experiences through which we aim to build up the confidence of all children. Our teaching focuses on developing the children’s ability to understand rhythm and follow a beat/pulse. Through singing songs, children learn about the structure and organisation of music. We teach them to listen and to appreciate different forms of music. Children develop descriptive language skills in music lessons when learning about how music can represent different feelings, emotions and narratives. We also teach technical vocabulary such as dynamics, pitch, beat/pulse, texture, tempo and rhythm and encourage children to discuss music using these terms. We also teach the structure of music. This vocabulary is revisited and revised by using the Charanga knowledge organisers which highlight musical vocabulary, key knowledge, and significant musicians and composers.

We strive to involve our children with live music as frequently as possible. Seeing themselves as musicians, we hold a weekly Choral Assembly where the School Band play and the rest of the children are the choir. Class assemblies feature music through singing, dancing and movement. Performances, for example at Christmas promote music through singing, dancing and movement too.

In recent years, we have worked with visiting artists and performers, for example Amasing, The Pop Project, Samba Drumming and The Wirral Peripatetic Teachers, to provide our children with authentic and real life opportunities to get involved with workshops and performances. Additional opportunities are offered in music, such as Key Stage 2 recorders, guitars, choir and specialised peripatetic teaching.

Music in the Early Years Foundation Stage

Within the Early Years Foundation Stage, Music is delivered through the area of Expressive Arts and Design: Being Imaginative and Expressive. The children work towards the Early Learning Goals as set out in the EYFS through our Music Scheme Charanga! Also continuous provision and small adult-directed activities.

FS2 children have access to musical instruments within their provision, they have a designated stage with which they have access to through a banded system.  Through the common goal of making music, children in FS2 learn to work effectively with other people and to build up good relationships. Music is the basis of many social activities, daily singing plays an important role in personal development and building self-confidence.  All vocal communication is comprised of musical elements such as pitch, rhythm and timbre, Music is seen as a core component of our children’s learning and is shared to ensure a broad, balanced and rounded experience in FS2.