"Where words fail, music speaks." - Hans Christian Andersen
We believe all pupils can be musicians. Our curriculum units of work are carefully sequenced to be cohesive through the school. This enables all pupils to learn an instrument, be taught to sing, and acquire the knowledge and understanding to compose, perform and appreciate various genres of music.
For pupils with a particular interest, enthusiasm or ability, we also provide music tuition to develop their skills further and provide the opportunity to progress through nationally graded assessments.
Equally, we believe the opportunity to perform is essential in developing confidence and proficiency. Therefore several performances are strategically scheduled throughout the year, where pupils can play and sing before an audience.
Units of work are based around a focus song. Engaging and fun lessons are delivered by enthusiastic specialists who also provide our classroom teachers essential CPD. In each unit, pupils build on knowledge weekly and then yearly, enhancing the skills and understanding to listen, discuss, critique, play, perform, sing and compose. Where possible cross -curricular links enrich their learning both in music and other subjects.
In one unit each year, all pupils receive ukulele tuition. This facilitates learning and progress over an extended period of time and embeds a skill that we hope will enrich their lives and develops an understanding of achieving long-term goals and perseverance. Many pupils even invest in their own ukuleles such as their enthusiasm for learning.
Enthusiastic pupils are also able to access extra provision including our school choir, band or additional instrument tuition for free. We strongly believe all pupils should be able to access these regardless of background or circumstances.
Enriching experiences are planned for each year group and for those with a particular talent or interest. Termly performances by soloists, ensembles, choir and the school band culminate in a whole-school performance at a professional theatre, giving pupils the opportunity to showcase their talents and develop self-belief and character.
We use a number of ways to measure and assess the impact of our intent and implementation. This helps us refine and adapt our planning further which, in turn, improves the quality of teaching and learning. The impact of teaching and learning in Music is measured and assessed in various ways: