Music Statement of Intent
At St. Thomas’ Catholic Primary School we make music an enjoyable learning experience. We hope to foster a life- long love of learning by providing a range of musical experiences and igniting a passion for music. We provide for and encourage children to participate in a variety of musical experiences through which we aim to build up the confidence of all children. 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. We teach them to listen and to appreciate different forms of music.
As children get older, we expect them to maintain their concentration for longer and to listen to more extended pieces of music. Children develop descriptive skills in music lessons when learning about how music can represent feelings and emotions. We teach them the disciplined skills of recognising pulse and pitch. Also, we teach the children how to work with others to compose music and perform for an audience. Finally, we ensure every child will have the opportunity to learn a instrument, with the opportunity to learn the Ukulele for a year taught by a music specialist; pupils learn to read music and play as part of an ensemble.
By listening and responding to different musical styles, finding their voices as singers and performers and as composers, we will enable them to become confident, reflective musicians.
‘Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity’ (The National Curriculum)
The aims of our Music curriculum are to develop pupils who:
Implementation
Our music curriculum uses units from the ‘Charanga’ music scheme which ensures students sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in classroom activities as well as weekly singing assemblies, various events and performances, and the learning of instruments. The elements of music are taught in classroom lessons so that children are able to use the language of music to discuss it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed.
In the classroom children learn how to play various un-tuned and tuned percussion instruments and as a class in Y2 the Ocarina, in Y3 the glockenspiel, in Y4 the ukulele, Y5 the Djembe drums and in Y6 the recorder. Ukulele is taught by a music specialist using ‘wider opportunities funding’. In doing so they understand the different principles of creating notes, as well as how to devise and read their own musical scores and basic music notation. They also learn how to compose focussing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music. Composing or performing using body percussion, vocal sounds and when appropriate technology, is also part of the curriculum, which develops the understanding of musical elements without the added complexity of an instrument.
All children get experience of performing to a wider audience through class assemblies and Christmas and Easter services. Children have the opportunity to take part in extracurricular activities such as choir, Clubs and instrumental lessons. Children will be aware of opportunities available and possibility of accessing them. They also take part in weekly singing assemblies for all children and singing during collective worships.
Impact
Our music curriculum will allow our children to achieve age related expectations in music at the end of their cohort year.
Whilst in school, the children have opportunities which allow them to discover their strengths, as well as areas they might like to improve upon.
The integral nature of music means our children have opportunities to 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, in relation to students individually, the dynamic and diverse community at St. Thomas’, as well as ethnicities from across the world.
Children are able to enjoy music, in as many ways as they choose - either as listener, creator or performer.
They can discuss music and comprehend its parts. They can sing, feel a pulse, add rhythms and create melodies in a group and they can further develop these skills in the future and continue to enjoy and embrace music in their lives.