Intent:
The intent of our music curriculum is to provide all children with the opportunity to participate in one of the most expressive art forms. Music promotes self-confidence, creativity and self-esteem as well as the development of both cognitive and social skills. By the end of Year 6, each child will have received a varied music curriculum, providing them with the skills, confidence and motivation necessary to develop a life-long love of music. We do this by consistently providing opportunities for listening and appraising, singing, playing instruments, improvisation, composition and performing. Our school nurtures the children’s love of the arts, by providing all pupils with the chance to showcase and develop their talents.
Implementation:
Children develop their music skills each year building on their prior knowledge. Across all stages of learning, we use Charanga to assist the teaching and learning of music. Children have opportunities to compose pieces of music, explore ideas and evaluate the work of other using the correct musical terminology.
In EYFS and Key Stage 1, the children take part in Christmas shows, as well as sharing musical experiences with friends and families during whole school assemblies and celebrations. They also have the opportunity to work with music professionals during the year. In Key Stage 2, the children take part in drum lessons with a professional drum teacher. Children also hold various opportunities for parents and the wider community to enjoy their performances, such as the Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly. We believe that these opportunities will encourage children to develop a further love of music. For children who wish to take their skills further, we offer professional lessons taught by one of the Durham Music Service peripatetic teachers. All children from EYFS to Year 6 take part in a week dedicated to the arts each year. Our music curriculum can be accessed and enjoyed by all of our pupils and give each child a sense of achievement.
Our comprehensive curriculum draws together The National Curriculum, the 7 strands outlined in the Progression Map from Durham Music Service and a range of Charanga activities, which take place in each year group.
Impact:
At the end of each year, pupils have gained a deeper understanding of the dynamics of music, musical notation, musical composition, and performance skills. They will build their knowledge of the history of music and use musical terminology with greater fluency. Our pupils will have developed positive attitudes to participation in music and the arts, and have embedded values such as respect for others work and viewpoints.
Pupils will develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with the confidence to give their own opinions. They will know how and why it is important to learn and develop musical skills and in time, they feel confident to know how music has shaped and contributed to history. They will use acquired vocabulary in lessons and understand and demonstrate musical skills through performance. Teachers plan opportunities for pupils to study across concepts and deepen their conceptual understanding in aspects of particular historical value. Pupils have the confidence and are inspired to further their knowledge.
Subject Area Progression Map
Music Progression Map at West Cornforth Primary School
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