Music
Music in our Curriculum
Music vision
At St Agnes’ Primary School, we believe that music is a unique and powerful form of communication that can change the way people feel, think and act. It combines creativity with emotion, enabling personal expression, reflection and development. Music allows freedom and flexibility in musical expression, preferences and performance. This is beneficial, not only for musical development, but for the growth of self-confidence and for the fostering of creative flair in all learners.
Providing children with opportunities to engage in musical experiences is essential for the development and well-being of the whole child, from the physical skills needed to play an instrument, to the mathematical skills needed to keep a pulse and read musical notation. It is an outlet for children to express their emotions, form responses to what they hear, and develop their confidence to perform in front of others. These abilities are directly transferable to other areas of the curriculum, allowing children to flourish, and will be invaluable in their future life.
At our school, children have weekly music lessons with a specialist music teacher, as well as regular exposure to music through key stage singing sessions in hymn practice and whole school gospel assemblies and school events. There are also opportunities to be in a KS2 choir, and perform in wider school music festivals and events. All children will be able to experience a sense of achievement and pride as they make progress learning specific instruments throughout their primary school journey. The different cultures within the school will be celebrated as the children learn songs in other languages and from a variety of musical styles and eras. Through our link with BEATS Music Service, children have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument (other than voice) before leaving school.
Curriculum
The National Curriculum for music aims to ensure that all children:
- perform, listen to, review and evaluate music
- are taught to sing, create and compose music
- understand and explore how music is created, produced, and communicated
Through playing, singing, creating and performing, children will develop confidence, communication, thinking and creative skills and improve their emotional well-being. In addition, as these activities utilise both sides of the brain, it will foster connections which will improve memory and coordination. The skills involved in playing and listening to music will also help learners develop the self-esteem, self-discipline, cooperation, creativity, and self-motivation necessary for success. Children will find that listening to music is enjoyable and relaxing which will help reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing. It is our vision that every child leaves St Agnes’ Catholic Primary School with an understanding and appreciation for the joy of music, a love for singing and a range of musical experiences and skills which they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Characteristics of a musican
At St Agnes’ Catholic Primary school, we are Musicians. Children will be encouraged to…
- perform, listen to, review, and evaluate a wide range of music from different genres.
- sing, to learn an instrument and compose their own music.
- explore how music is created, considering inter-related dimensions.
- explore and appreciate different musical traditions and genres – the historical, social and cultural origins of music.
- give explanations, using musical terminology effectively, accurately and appropriately.
- form personal preferences, respect for the opinions of others and appreciation of the impact that music can have on mood.
- take part in a diverse range of musical activities.
Reception
Children at the expected level of development will…
- Invent, adapt and recount narratives and stories with peers and their teacher.
- Sing a range of well-known nursery rhymes and songs.
- Perform songs, rhymes, poems and stories with others,
- Try to move in time with music.
Key stage 1
Pupils will:
- use their voices expressively and creatively by singing songs and speaking chants and rhymes
- play tuned and untuned instruments musically
- listen with concentration and understanding to a range of high-quality live and recorded music and respond to music
- experiment with, create, select and combine sounds using the inter-related dimensions of music.
Key stage 2
Pupils will sing and play musically with increasing confidence and control. They will develop an understanding of musical composition, organising and manipulating ideas within musical structures and reproducing sounds from aural memory.
Pupils will:
- play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts, using their voices and playing musical
- instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression
- improvise and compose music for a range of purposes using the inter-related
- dimensions of music
- listen with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory
- use and understand staff and other musical notations
- appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality live and recorded music drawn from different traditions and from great composers and musicians
- develop an understanding of the history of music.
What music looks like at St Agnes'
Music lessons at St Agnes’ Catholic Primary School are delivered by a specialist music teacher, based on the Charanga scheme, to ensure pupils get the highest quality teaching. The music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the classroom through the structured music curriculum as well as the weekly Hymn practice assemblies, various concerts and performances. In the classroom children learn key aspects of music through making links between prior music learning and learning in other curriculum areas. The elements of music are taught in the classroom lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to dissect it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed. They also learn how to compose, focusing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music.
Additionally, children participate in a range of both in and out of school events, such as Infant Music Festival (KS1), Barnet Schools Music Festival (KS2), Nativity productions (EYFS/KS1), Carol services (KS2), end of term performances, and YR6 leavers productions. The children sing weekly in key stage hymn practice as well as whole school gospel assemblies. KS2 pupils have the opportunity to join a school choir, rehearsing on a weekly basis at lunchtime. Pupils in the school choir focus on singing in unison, harmony and developing solo performance skills. Children have opportunities to be involved in school performances, carol services and wider events such as the Barnet Schools Music Festival and Royal Albert Hall concert.
Impact
In St Agnes’ Catholic Primary School the children have access to a rich music curriculum, which allows them to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. The children build self-confidence through their musical achievements, the ability to work with others and self-reflection on what went well and what can be improved. Music also develops their understanding of different cultures and historical events related to the pieces they explore or songs they sing. Children are able to enjoy music practically by singing, playing instruments or exploring composition and apply their skills in a variety of opportunities available as concerts and festivals.
The children leave St Agnes’ Catholic Primary School with a secure music knowledge which they are able to demonstrate in a range of ways. We hope they are inspired and continue to develop a love for music once they leave us.
“Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.” (The National Curriculum)
BEAT (Barnet Education Arts Trust)
Music instrument lessons are offered to children in KS2 (Years 3-6) by BEAT, Barnet Educational Arts Trust.
They offer a range of instrumental lessons such as violin and guitar, with specialised teachers coming into school during the school day. If you would like to register your child for lessons, please visit https://beatrust.org.uk/learn-to-play/school-based-tuition/ Here you can register and apply for lessons. Should you have any queries, you can contact BEAT direct on 0208 959 4111 , email admin@beatrust.org.uk or visit website beatrust.org.uk where you will find a range of information.
