Intent

What are we trying to achieve?

The starting point for the Music curriculum is the children.  At St Benedict’s Primary School, the curriculum has literacy and language at its heart and is the basis from which all other subject evolves. Music develops artistic knowledge and skills through a connected and language rich curriculum.

We aim for our children to be; successful learners, responsible and rights respecting citizens and confident individuals.

Implementation

How do we organise this?

Our Music curriculum uses the 2014 National Curriculum as our learning framework. The Cornerstones Curriculum breaks down the National Curriculum Programmes of Study into a progressive programme of learning through challenging Imaginative Learning Projects.

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 music teaches the knowledge, skills and understanding set out in the National Curriculum.

Cornerstones enables children to learn about music in a cross curricular way; ILP’s set music in context with other subject areas. In addition to the significant part it plays in developing English it helps bring to life the learning taking place in History, Geography and Art. It enhances personal, social and emotional development, developing confidence, self-esteem, co-operation, knowledge and respect for all cultures.

Stand-alone Music lessons or Dashboard lessons are planned where the ILP does not include Music to ensure skills and knowledge are continually practised each half term.

In Nursery and Reception, music is part of the Expressive Art and Design strand of Development Matters. Children are encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings through music by exploring sounds.

Impact

How do we know it is successful?

Planning, evidence, teacher and pupil voice in Music are monitored regularly. They are evaluated and reflected upon to ensure that there is progression in skills, knowledge and subject specific language across year groups and phases. As children move through the school there is a clear picture of the progression of music skills. The progression of skills can be seen from Early Years to Key stage 2. In Early Years children begin to build a repertoire of songs and dances and explore the different sounds of instruments. In Year 1, children learn traditional rhymes and explore creating digital sounds. Year 2 explore tuned and un-tuned instruments alongside learning action songs. In Year 3, children then progress onto comparing music, composition and rhythm and Year 4 focus on improvising and composing lyrics.  

We recognise that in all classes children have a wide range of musical ability, and so we seek to provide suitable learning opportunities for all children by matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the child. We achieve this in a variety of ways such as setting tasks which are open-ended and can have a variety of responses. Music lessons provide resources of different complexity, depending on the ability of the child.

Music is a practical subject where children have first-hand experiences of playing instruments, composing music, singing, listening to and evaluating music and performing. Singing lies at the heart of good music teaching. Our teaching focuses on developing the children’s ability to sing in tune and with other people. Through singing songs, children learn about the structure and organisation of music. Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and Reception children have a weekly singing session where they learn to sing songs from memory, using their voices expressively, with their year group. The children learn songs which are relevant to any festivals which are being celebrated during that time, such as Harvest or Christmas, or learn songs which promote friendship and togetherness.

Music Curriculum Overview

Music Progression
Knowledge & Skills Builder - Composition
Knowledge & Skills Builder - Perform
Knowledge & Skills Builder - Sing