Our Music Curriculum: Let your light shine

Intent

At Waltham CE Primary School, we encourage children to participate in a variety of musical experiences to develop confidence and enjoyment. Our curriculum allows for a progression of skills and knowledge. Through singing and listening to songs the children learn about the structure and organisation of music. We teach them to listen and to appreciate different forms of music. We encourage them to explore music from different cultures.

Direct teaching focuses on developing the children’s ability to understand rhythm and follow a beat. We also teach the children technical vocabulary such as volume, pitch and rhythm and encourage children to use these terms when discussing music.

Implementation

Music lessons aim to develop a love of music and children’s talent as musicians. Through an engaging curriculum, children increase their creativity and their confidence. As children progress, the curriculum challenges them to evaluate music, to discuss and to justify their opinions. In key stage 2 children are encouraged to compose music.

Our long term plan ensures a broad exposure to different genres of music, and practical opportunities to develop as musicians and singers. Opportunities are taken to perform in class, in whole assemblies and also to parents and the wider community. For example the lower key stage 2 children take part in the Vale Choir event where schools from the local area are taught by music specialists and then perform together.

The school facilitates the opportunity for individuals and/or groups to access specialist teaching from a number of private music specialists who teach children specific musical instruments and singing. Children are able to progress through a series of exams and perform in front of others. Children come together many times throughout the year to perform to their families. We make this accessible to all children through offering whole class lessons on a rota basis and for individual children entitled to the Pupil Premium, special subsidies can be agreed.

Impact

Our children become confident performers and their joy is evident when they sing and play. Attendance at evening events is always excellent and many of our children further their music lessons when they move on to their secondary phase. Few children suffer feelings of anxiety and stress and are able to regulate their emotions and focus well in lessons. Assessment in music is ongoing and informs teachers about future planning, lesson activities and differentiation. Summative assessment informs staff of the improvements or skills that still need to be embedded. Music is monitored throughout all year groups using lesson observations and pupil interviews.