Intent
Music is an important part of the curriculum at Havelock Schools. Pupils will perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great classical composers and modern musicians. Pupils will also learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence. Pupils will understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.
The Music Education aims to ensure that all children:
- Sing with a wide range and with a variety of expression
- Sing confidently in parts
- Read staff notation
- Experience playing an instrument in a class ensemble
- Hear a youth or professional orchestra or band live
In addition, there are opportunities (predominately in KS2) for those children showing musical aptitude to be able to develop their musicianship through singing in the school choir, receiving instrumental lessons through an outside peripatetic music tutors or performing as part of a concert.
Implementation
At Havelock Schools, our music curriculum is delivered by both classroom teachers and music specialists, in conjunction with our local music hub (NMPAT).
Music is taught by classroom teachers using the Charanga scheme of learning. This allows all pupils to access a wide range of music from across all genre’s and time periods.
Charanga’s Primary scheme of work enables pupils to meet the end of key stage attainment targets outlined in the National Curriculum and the aims of the scheme align with those in the National Curriculum.
Charanga’s Primary music scheme allows teachers to take a holistic approach to music in which the following strands; performing, listening, composing, the history of music and the inter-related dimensions of music are woven together to create engaging and enriching learning experiences. Children are taught how to sing fluently and expressively, and play tuned and untuned instruments accurately and with control. They will begin to recognise and name the inter related dimensions of music – pitch, duration, tempo and timbre and use these in their improvisations and compositions.
At Havelock we follow a spiral curriculum whereby previous skills and knowledge are returned to and built upon. Children progress by tackling more complex tasks and doing more simple tasks better, as well as developing understanding and knowledge of the history of music, staff and other musical notations as well as the inter-related dimensions of music and more. Lessons incorporate independent tasks, paired and group work as well as improvisation and teacher led performances.
In addition, pupils in Year 4 will be taught to play an instrument, as a class, by specialist teachers from Northamptonshire Schools Music service throughout the Spring term.
EYFS
The teaching of Music is practical, playful and inclusive with support and challenge from adults in class sessions, small groups and working with individuals. There is a combination of adult-led, teacher taught sessions as well as a wealth of stimulating continuous provision opportunities when adults scaffold learning through skilful interactions and questioning. Throughout all of these areas of learning and at the heart of our EYFS are the “Characteristics of Effective Learning”.
Teaching Style
Excellent curriculum music teaching, within the Havelock Schools, is based upon the principles that; music should be taught from a young age, music should be taught in a logical and sequential manner, there should be pleasure in learning music, the voice is the most accessible universal instrument. Music lessons should be practical with all children and adults partaking in active musical activities – listening, singing and playing instruments.
Enrichment Opportunities
Enrichment events are an essential part of the Music Curriculum which enhances the knowledge-rich curriculum. The enrichment events provide pupils with discrete time to focus and deepen their learning, they provide opportunities for new experiences as well as nurturing and developing a thirst for learning. For example, whole school events, such as Harvest and Christmas services, nativities and productions, year group events such as visiting ensembles and larger events such as Young Voices.
Cross Curricular
Where appropriate, the Music Curriculum is used to enhance the learning in other subjects. E.g. counting songs in maths, putting music into historical contexts, and topic linked songs across the school. Music is also a very useful tool in PSHE subjects and assemblies.
Impact
It will be evident over time that the progress, knowledge and skills of pupils will increase between EYFS and Year 6.
Impact will be assessed through a multi-faceted approach including performances, informal observations in lessons, opportunities through practical music-making, listening to children talking and playing, and watching children respond. These should show development of musical skills, particularly singing, and improvement in social skills such as cooperation and team-work.
Pupil voice is also important in the review of provision for music.
Evaluations of schools with a strong musical ethos have shown there can be positive impacts on pupil wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem, as well as improved attendance.
Music Leads monitor the quality and impact of the Music Curriculum and assess the extent to which pupils sing, play, compose and recognise various composers/musicians and their music.