Music

Music curriculum statement

Introduction

At Castle Primary School, we believe music is a unique way of communicating that can inspire and motivate children through our learning values: independent, resilient, empathetic learners. It is a means of personal expression, and it can play an important part in the personal development of people. Music reflects the culture and society we live in and so the teaching and learning of music enables children to better understand the world around them. It also plays an important part in helping children feel part of a community. We provide opportunities for all children to create, play, perform and enjoy music, to develop the skills to appreciate a wide variety of musical forms and to begin to make judgments about the quality of music.

Intent

Castle Primary School aims to:

• enable all children to have access to music and to develop an enjoyment of music
• encourage children to express their ideas and feelings through music develop children’s awareness and understanding of music from a wide variety of styles, periods and cultures
• develop teamwork skills such as negotiation and discussion through working in groups
• offer children the opportunity to experience personal satisfaction by making music together through performances both within school and with larger groups in the wider community

Implementation

The music curriculum ensures students sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the classroom activities as well as the weekly singing assemblies. There is an opportunity for all children in Year 4 to learn to play instruments in the school from visiting teachers (such as ukulele and brass). Then in the classroom following the ‘Sing up’ program, the children are given the opportunities to learn how to use their voices and bodies to make music and to use percussion instruments. There are regular opportunities for children to perform and participate in music activities as part of special services including Harvest and Christmas.

Impact

Our music curriculum ensures our children will have the opportunity to foster their instrumental flare and use this as a form of expression, they will participate in wider musical activities. They will gain wider audience performance experience which will improve well-being and confidence. Through these performances to parents and families the children will develop their sense of teamwork and collaboration. The children will develop a heightened awareness of musical opportunities available in and outside of school in the hope that access will be increased. The children will be able to appreciate varied music types and make choices about their own musical tastes.

What does it look like in the EYFS?

It is important in the Early Years stage of schooling to give children a broad, play-based experience of music in a range of contexts, including outdoor play. They use continuous provision as a means to develop their independence and curiosity of a variety of areas including music. We seek and create opportunities to encourage children to explore music as a means of expression and enjoyment.