Intent
At Castor Church of England Primary School, our music curriculum intends to foster pupils’ sensitivity to, and their understanding and enjoyment of music, through an active involvement in listening, performing, composing and appraising. We enable all pupils to realise their individual creative potential and to express themselves through music. Pupils acquire and develop the musical skills involved in performing, composing, listening and appraising. We aim to extend and develop pupils’ awareness and understanding of traditions, idioms and music styles from a variety of cultures, times and places.
Music enables pupils to experience fulfilment, which derives from striving for the highest possible artistic and technical standards within any style of musical expression. We develop, through music, pupils’ skills which contribute to learning across the curriculum and contribute to the community and the school’s ethos.
Implementation
All children experience planned class-based musical activities each week. Across all year groups, this is in line with the units of work as identified in the scheme of work from Charanga which shows progression in line with the National Curriculum. Each unit of work for music is designed to develop skills and understanding through involvement in the interrelated activities of listening, appraising, composing and performing.
In each year group, there is whole-class teaching of the Djembe drum percussion instrument. This whole-class participation builds community, musicality and cultural awareness through rhythm, teamwork and inclusive ensemble playing.
Children have the opportunity to take part in extracurricular activities such as the Music Technology Club, Shakespeare Club and piano and guitar lessons. Children will be aware of opportunities available and the possibility of accessing them.
Children gain experience of performing to a wider audience in our Christmas Concert at St Kyneburgha’s Church, our Year 6 production, the EYFS and Key Stage 1 Christmas Nativity and performances within our local community.
We have weekly Songs of Praise for all children and singing during collective worships.
Impact
Our music curriculum will allow children to achieve age related expectations in music at the end of their cohort year. They will participate in wider musical activities and performances and gain improved wellbeing and an increase in confidence.
They will have exposure to a wide range of genres across a wide variety of historical periods and develop a love for music and enjoy music in as many ways as they choose – either as a listener, creator or performer.
Music skills are progressive and built upon as children move up the school. The Music Lead will ensure that knowledge, skills and understanding within the subject are covered through regular monitoring of teaching and learning, which include carrying out learning walks and pupil learning conversations.
Pupil voice is a useful tool as conversations with pupils demonstrate what they know, can do and remember more than they did before.