“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” Plato
Our children live in a world that is surrounded by music. It inspires emotions like no other source and at Langar Church of England Primary School we wish to inspire the next generation of musicians though exposure to a range of musical experiences.
Intent
Learning is a change in long term memory. We believe children learn best by having opportunities to revisit previous learning. We teach music every week so that the children can fully immerse themselves and have opportunities to reflect and build on prior learning.
The objectives of teaching music in our school are:
As a school, we want to:
Implementation
Our music curriculum design is based on principles derived from evidence through cognitive science:
In addition to the principles, we also understand that learning is invisible in the short term and that sustained mastery takes time.
Our content is subject specific. We make intra-curricular links to strengthen schema. Reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are further promoted in music.
Skills and Techniques
These techniques are repeated over the years so that the children can build upon and refine their skills in each area.
The Early Year Foundation Stage children have daily access to a range of play based songs and rhymes as well as provisions that allow them to explore music in their own way. Children even at EYFS will be exposed to vocabulary that will continue up the school such as pulse and rhythm.
All children have access to free small group recorder lessons and learn the glockenspiel during whole class lessons.
Throughout KS1 and KS2 children will have the opportunity to make links with other topics and special events.
Impact
The intended impact of our curriculum is that children build semantic and procedural knowledge; Children will have a sound understanding of how music is used in the world around them. The children will have experience of listening to a wide range of musical genres. The children will also develop appraisal skills to discuss genres critically. They will be confident when performing to a range of audiences.
Assessment
Assessment judgements are informed by a pupil’s progress against the objectives laid down in the school’s curriculum document. We appreciate that in EYFS and Key Stage 1 the children will have a smaller general knowledge base to draw upon and in key stage 2 we will then expect to see them making more links to prior knowledge, comparing and contrasting as well as evaluating what they have learned.
Teachers will make a judgement of WTS (working towards the expected standard), EXP (Working at the expected standard) or GDS (working at greater depth). Judgements can be based on written work, formal and informal observations, and discussion.
Monitoring
Unit plans, knowledge organisers and medium term plans are monitored by SLT with responsibility for the curriculum. Curriculum coverage is included in the termly curriculum catch up conversations.
Community
Langar C of E Primary School is proud of our community links, with the value woven through our curriculum. When possible, we like to invite members of our local community to share their experiences and knowledge by visiting classes.
Resources
Useful Websites
https://login.classical100.org/login/
https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/
Cultural Capital