We use our music lessons to broaden our pupil’s knowledge and experiences of music. We give them the opportunity to experience a wide range of music so that they might find a passion for music that they haven’t previously come across. We want our children to see themselves as musicians and inspire them with musicians that come from similar backgrounds to themselves. We think our music curriculum gives our children the opportunity to be creative and express themselves. The skills they learn in lessons (reading music for instance) will make it easier to access music in secondary school and in later life. The opportunities to perform regularly build their confidence and helps them to appreciate other performers.
Music lessons throughout school are delivered through CHARANGA so that skills develop progressively as they move through school. Charanga Musical School Units of Work enable children to understand musical concepts through a repetition-based approach to learning. Learning about the same musical concept through different musical activities enables a more secure, deeper learning and mastery of musical skills.
In EYFS and KS1 we follow the Jolly Music approach, through a repertoire of playground rhymes and songs, children learn to identify musical elements such as pulse, rhythm, pitch, loudness and speed. This learning is reinforced through physical actions, creative activities and musical games. The lessons are structured to build key musical skills like listening, singing in tune, developing inner hearing, and ultimately reading and writing music. These skills are reinforced throughout the entire programme.
Pupils engage in instrumental sessions from Year 2 to Year 5 learning to play recorders, samba drums, violins and ukuleles. Year 3, 4 and 6 use teaching specialists to deliver lessons on samba drumming, violins and vocal coaching. Pupils are given the opportunity to appreciate and perform music wherever they can.
