Music Curriculum Statement

 

Intent

At Castle View Primary School, we are committed to ensuring the effective delivery of a music curriculum that is accessible to all our children.

Music is a practical, creative subject, which should enhance the lives and learning of all children.

Music is a unique way of communicating that can inspire and motivate children. It gives an opportunity for personal expression and it can play an important part in the personal development of an individual.

Music reflects our culture and society and so the teaching and learning of music enables children to better understand the world they live in.

Our aim is to promote enthusiasm for and the enjoyment of, music in all its forms and also to develop musical skills and knowledge.

By engaging children in musical experiences we can offer our children opportunities to develop skills, attitudes and attributes that can support learning in other areas as well as developing life skills such as listening skills, the ability to concentrate, creativity, self-confidence and a sensitivity towards others.

 

Implementation

Our music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate.  These skills are embedded in classroom activities as well as the weekly singing assemblies. A variety of performance opportunities exists in the school calendar; these include concerts, class and whole school assemblies and productions. The elements of music are taught in lessons using the online resource Charanga and this incorporates the use of instruments to help develop an understanding of how music is made, played, appreciated and analysed.

In the classroom children learn how to play an instrument and develop an understanding of the different principle of each method of creating notes, as well as how to read basic music notation. They also learn how to compose, focusing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music. Composing or performing using body percussion and vocal sounds is also part of the curriculum, which develops the understanding of musical elements without the added complexity of an instrument.

 

Impact

Whilst in school, children have access to a varied programme, which allows them to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. The integral nature of music and the learner creates an enormously rich palette from which a child may access fundamental abilities such as: achievement, self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others, and self-reflection. Music will also develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to children individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world. Children are able to develop an enjoyment of music in as many ways as they choose – either as a listener, creator or performer.