Music
Intent
Why do we teach this? Why do we teach it in the way we do?
‘Music is all around us. I t is the soundtrack to our lives. Music connects us through people and places in our ever-changing world. It is creative, collaborative, celebratory and challenging.”
New Model Music Curriculum – March 2021
At Parkhill Junior School, the aim of our music curriculum is to inspire creativity and self-expression, to foster a lifelong love of and curiosity about music and to use music as a vehicle to connect with others. Music should be used as a language to represent and explore feelings and emotions, thus supporting children’s mental wellbeing. Through listening and responding to different musical styles, finding their voice as singers, participating as performers and composers and analysing and evaluating music across a range of historical periods, styles, traditions and genres, children will acquire the knowledge and skills that will enhance self-confidence and sense of achievement. As children deepen their understanding of the different elements of music, they will also develop the technical vocabulary that will enable them to connect with others. Through sharing their own experiences as musicians and reflecting on the contributions of others. Celebrating the many musical experiences our children have beyond the school curriculum is integral to music learning, at Parkhill.
Article 23 – Every child with a disability should become independent and participate actively in the community.
Article 28 – Every child has the right to an education.
Article 29 – A child’s education should help develop their talents and abilities.
Article 31 – Every child has the right to participate in cultural and creative activities.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Implementation
What do we teach? What does it look like?
Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision, which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. High Performance Learners. We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. Our pedagogy is pupil focused, children will develop expertise, leading their learning and actively engaging with feedback to improve their performance.
To ensure music at Parkhill Junior School is an enjoyable and inspiring learning experience, music is taught by a specialist across the key stage, as well as by class teachers. Through whole class instrument teaching, the children develop the language needed, to discuss their learning.
Year 3 learn the ocarina; Year 4, the recorder; Year 5 learn how to play the glockenspiel; Year 6 learn to play the drums.
Charanga (scheme of work) is used to supplement the teaching of music to ensure children are exposed to a wide variety of genres and given a wide range of practical opportunities to develop musicianship.
Additional enrichment opportunities include the peripatetic teaching of brass, woodwind, violin, percussion and piano lessons. Children participate in weekly singing assemblies and children (mainly Y5 & 6) have the opportunity to join the choir. Each Year Group performs to a wider audience throughout the year during a special assembly. Children are exposed to a diverse range of composers through our Musician of the Month display.
Impact
By the time children leave our school they will have a widened repertoire which they will be able to use to create original, imaginative, fluent and distinctive composing and performance works.
This will be evident through a musical understanding underpinned by high levels of aural perception, internalisation and knowledge of music, including developing levels of technical expertise. Children will have a very good awareness and appreciation of different musical traditions and genres as well as an excellent understanding of how musical provenance – the historical, social and cultural origins of music – contributes to the diversity of musical styles. Our pupils will develop the ability to give precise written and verbal explanations, using musical terminology effectively, accurately and appropriately. And of course, a passion for and commitment to, a diverse range of musical activities.