Music

Intent

At Our Lady and St. Edward’s Catholic Primary School, we believe that music is a powerful and enriching subject that inspires creativity, develops confidence and provides pupils with opportunities to express themselves. We want all pupils to develop a lifelong love and appreciation of music while developing their skills through listening, singing, playing, composing and performing. Music contributes to pupils’ personal, social and cultural development. It encourages collaboration, develops listening and communication skills, builds confidence and stimulates creativity and imagination. Through music, pupils experience a wide range of musical styles, traditions, cultures and historical periods, developing an appreciation of the diverse world in which they live. We use the Kapow Primary Music scheme to support the planning, teaching and progression of our curriculum. The scheme enables pupils to develop their understanding of the inter-related dimensions of music, including pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture and structure. In EYFS, pupils explore sound, rhythm, singing, movement and musical instruments. From Year 1 to Year 6, pupils progressively develop their musical knowledge, skills and vocabulary through listening, performing, composing and evaluating.

Implementation

Music teaching at Our Lady and St. Edward’s focuses on developing pupils’ confidence, knowledge and skills as musicians. We use the Kapow Primary Music scheme to support the planning and delivery of lessons, ensuring that learning is progressive and builds on prior knowledge and skills. Pupils have regular opportunities to sing, listen, perform, compose, improvise and play a range of musical instruments. They develop their musical vocabulary and are encouraged to discuss, describe and evaluate music. Pupils listen to music from a wide range of cultures, traditions, genres and historical periods, developing their ability to recognise and respond to different musical features. Practical music-making is central to our curriculum. Pupils develop rhythmic and melodic skills through singing, body percussion and instrumental work. They develop an understanding of notation and how music can be created, performed and communicated using different instruments, voices and technologies. Music is enriched through opportunities beyond the classroom, including live music, performances, concerts and musical events where possible. We encourage pupils to share their musical achievements and understand the role music plays within our school, local community and wider world.

Inclusion

Music lessons are adapted to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Through our music teaching, we provide adapted learning opportunities that enable all pupils to participate, achieve and make progress. We do this by setting suitable learning challenges, providing appropriate resources and responding to each child’s individual needs. Music is an inclusive subject where pupils can contribute in different ways. Activities are adapted through the use of different instruments, simplified or extended musical parts, visual prompts, repetition, modelling and additional adult support where appropriate. Pupils are encouraged to participate in singing, movement, composition, listening and performance in ways that enable them to experience success.

Impact

Pupil interviews, learning walks, lesson observations and work in class music files evidence a broad, balanced and progressive Music curriculum. These demonstrate the development of pupils’ musical knowledge, vocabulary and practical skills across the school. EYFS pupils develop an understanding of sound, rhythm, movement, singing and musical instruments and begin to express their ideas through music. They develop confidence in joining in with songs and rhymes and begin to recognise and respond to different sounds and patterns. As pupils progress through the school, they develop their understanding of the key elements of music and increasingly use appropriate musical vocabulary when discussing and evaluating what they hear. They develop their ability to sing and perform with increasing confidence and accuracy, alongside skills in playing instruments, composing and improvising. Pupils listen to and appreciate music from different cultures, traditions, genres and historical periods. They develop an understanding of how music can communicate ideas, emotions and experiences and are able to express their own responses to music. By the end of Year 6, pupils are able to perform, compose, listen and appraise with increasing confidence and independence. They understand how the different elements of music work together and can use their musical knowledge to create and communicate their own ideas. Most importantly, we want pupils to develop a genuine enjoyment and love of music, leaving Our Lady and St. Edward’s with positive musical experiences, increased confidence and an appreciation of the important role music plays in their lives and the wider world.