Music

INTENT:

At St Stephen’s, we believe that all children should be inspired by music and that every pupil has the right to an outstanding music education. We recognise that good quality music education contributes considerable musical and non-musical benefits to pupils, parents and wider communities. We aim for children to develop a love of music, developing intrinsic musical skill, knowledge and understanding.

IMPLEMENTATION:

Organisation and Curriculum Coverage

Music lessons are active and musical sound is the dominant language of the teaching and learning. Throughout St Stephen’s, there is a focus on musical learning and progression, encouraging pupils to develop as active musicians and for teachers to be active musicians in the classroom too. Teachers model and demonstrate when required, however care is taken to ensure musical learning is not delayed by lengthy oral/verbal starters, teacher talk and non-musical activities. Desired learning outcomes should be sufficiently challenging and clear.

Attention is paid to eliciting higher quality aural and practical responses which demonstrate better musical quality. In lessons, pupils are regularly encouraged to practise, compose or perform with instruments. Each lesson should create a ‘buzz’ of interest. Teaching may be individual, small group or whole class or may include skilled tuition from external agencies.

Curriculum Planning

In accordance with the National Curriculum, we ensure that coverage of knowledge and skills is developed sequentially throughout the school. We have adopted the Kapow Scheme, to ensure that children receive quality music lessons throughout the year – we cover one unit per term. These include: performing, listening, composing, history of music and inter-related dimensions of music: pulse, pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure, appropriate musical notation.

In addition to our Kapow scheme, KS2 classes receive also receive external instrument tuition through Accent Music Hub. Y3 are learning to play recorder, Y4 have been introduced to playing the ukulele and Y5 have progressed to playing the guitar. Y6 are receiving weekly gospel singing sessions.

Our Community

Each year, all pupils are engaged in a musical performance for the wider community, for example, EYFS/KS1 perform a nativity play and each KS2 class hosts a carol service for parents/carers at Christmas. In addition, Year 6 perform an end of year play for the school and local community and classes who receive tuition from Accent Music Hub perform or have performances recorded showcasing their skills using guitars and ukuleles. EYFS/KS1 perform a singing summer festival for the wider community and a range of after school clubs including KS2 Choir Club enable pupils to learn, perform and evaluate to audiences in school, at mass or out in the local community.

IMPACT:

Music encourages and assists thinking skills such as information processing, reasoning, enquiring and evaluation. Music offers opportunities to develop attitudes and attributes that enhance life skills and that can also support learning in other subject areas e.g. listening, the ability to concentrate, creativity, intuition, aesthetic sensitivity, perseverance, self-confidence and empathy towards each other.

Furthermore, Music aids the physical, emotional and aesthetic development of children. It enables pupils to appreciate aspects of British Values and the contribution of other cultures. It enhances self-confidence and the ability to listen and concentrate. Also, by developing understanding and appreciation of a wide range of different kinds of music, and by developing pupil interests, children will improve their ability to make judgements about musical quality.

Music’s contribution to the fuller development can be evidenced in how enthusiastically pupils share their love of various musicians. Music enables pupils to engage in PE through dance and a favourite song can form a starting point for a positive relationship.