Music Intent.
At Courtney primary school we offer musical lessons that allow all children to access the session and leave feeling confident and secure when approaching a musical task. Music is a universal language and the skill of being able to play an instrument or understand music on a deeper level is greatly sought. Music at Courtney primary school aims to follow the specification of the National Curriculum providing a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum and ensuring the progressive development of musical concepts, knowledge and skills. At Courtney primary school we believe that music plays an important role in helping children to feel a part of their school community, therefore we provide opportunities for children to be creative, play an instrument and be able to perform and enjoy music. Through class performances, nativities and fayre performances, children showcase their talent and their musical awareness. Lessons enable children to develop their skills, listen to varying music styles and play an instrument with increasing control and tune.
The aims of Courtney primary school music lessons are:
· Allow children to enjoy and appreciate music
· Understand a wide range of music pieces
· Begin to play a tuned and untuned musical instrument
· Take part in performances
· Explore musical notations and notice how music has changed and developed over time
Music Implementation
At Courtney, Music is taught through 3 enquiries in each year group. We cover the National Curriculum, supported by clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on each year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.
In music lessons teachers give the children an opportunity to listen and take part. Music is learnt best through having a go and continuing to practice and reflect. This may be using tuned and untuned instruments, finding the beat in familiar songs, or listening out for well-known musical instruments. The curriculum planned and taught taking into consideration the needs of all pupils and their understanding of music. It is important that children have the time to develop the skill of singing within a group and allowing their creative juices to flow, furthermore the teacher supporting their pupils by helping to build their confidence in their musical skills.
There is also an opportunity to take part in music outside of the school day. Choir practice, and school trips are provided to give real life musical experiences, alongside performing in the wider community.
Impact
As a school we evaluate the impact of our wider curriculum through:
- Lesson observations
- Pupil voice
- Performances
At Courtney Primary School, our music curriculum enables children to be creative and let their imagination shine through the opportunities to experience the power of song and instruments in their classes. The curriculum supports children in developing their understanding of music from the past and present, tune into the musical instruments used or finding the rhythm of the piece. Practical experiences are used to inform teacher assessment. Recapping of songs are used to a consolidate learning and build confidence. We also use pupil voice as a tool to develop the future teaching and learning of music.
Early Years Foundation Stage
During EYFS, pupils can be creative through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. EYFS pupils will have experience of:
• Being imaginative and expressive
Within this area of their learning, they will sing a range of well-known nursery rhymes and songs, perform with others and begin to move in time with music.
