We make music an enjoyable learning experience. Across the School, the children have the chance to learn a range of instruments in their music lessons as well as partake in Whole-School singing assemblies, class assemblies and end of year performances. There are many opportunities to perform music to their friends, classmates and Teachers in School, as well as at other Schools during events across the local area. We provide children with a range of musical experiences in order to build up their confidence, self-esteem and teamwork skills as well as promoting a love of listening, performing and composing music in a range of styles and genres from throughout history.

Music Scheme of Work Planning

Our School uses the Collins Connect, Music Express Scheme as the basis for its curriculum planning. While there are opportunities for children of all abilities to develop their skills and knowledge in each teaching unit, the planned progression which is built into the scheme of work means that the children are increasingly challenged as they move through the school. Devised especially for Classroom Teachers, whether generalist or specialist, Music Express is: topic-based, cross?curricular, musically diverse, fully resourced and accessible to non-music readers. The essence of Music Express is to create a topic-based, cross-curricular approach to support children's learning in music and across other subjects through music. A steady progression plan has been built into Music Express, both within each year and from one year to the next, ensuring consistent musical development. By using Music Express as the basis of a scheme of work, we can ensure that we are fulfilling the aims for musical learning stated in the English National Curriculum.

The English National Curriculum states 'That all pupils: perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians.'

Early Years

In Early Years, the children learn Music through both the subject Expressive Arts and Design and through Collins connect. The children access Music daily through their play using instruments, singing songs and listening to music. The children will also access adult led Music activities for a range of topics across the year, as well as listening to music from different cultures each half term and linking to the topic and RE themes. As Reception is part of the Foundation Stage Curriculum, we relate the musical aspects of the children’s work to the objectives set out in the Development Matters document and Early Learning Goals. Music contributes to a child’s personal and social development. Counting songs foster a child’s mathematical ability and songs from different cultures increase a child’s knowledge and understanding of the world.

Cross-Curricular Links

As well as making its own distinctive contribution to the school curriculum, also helps to develop skills in other areas, especially in the development of Literacy (language skills, rhythm, rhyme, research, creative writing, communicating ideas), Maths (patterns, sequences and processes), Dance, Art, ICT (composing, notation, research, use of I-Pads and recording for assessment), and PSHE (reflecting, listening, creating, performing).

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

KS2 children have the opportunity to learn to play the Violin or a Brass Instrument, with a specialist Tutor coming into School once a week.

This allows the children to learn new skills and techniques, as well as build upon their knowledge of music theory and composing. Every year we have a concert where our children can perform to the School and demonstrate their skills, hopefully encouraging others to join. Within School, using staff expertise, children have the opportunity to learn other instruments such as the recorder, ocarina and ukulele. We also have a school choir that perform in events such as the Christmas Carol Service

Unit Overview: