"Music can change the world."

Ludwig Van Beethoven

What is the purpose of Music? (Intent)

We have designed our music curriculum so that our learners:

• Are engaged and inspired to develop a love of music.
• Are encouraged to participate in a variety of musical experiences, through which we build their confidence, develop creativity and provide a sense of achievement for all children.
• Develop a curiosity for the subject as well as an understanding and acceptance of all types of music.
• Understand the value and importance of music in the wider community and can use their skills to involve themselves in different musical experiences.
• Believe that music should be a part of our everyday practice, whether through singing worship, extra-curricular activities or music lessons. 

How do we teach music? (Implementation)

Our music curriculum is taught:

• To ensure children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the classroom activities as well as our weekly singing in Collective Worship, performances and the learning of instruments.
• Through the musical programme Charanga, which has been specifically designed for the teaching of music in primary schools. Teachers are able to produce inclusive lessons for all children to access the musical curriculum in a fun and engaging way, further promoting a love of learning.
• Through sequences planned to provide children with the opportunities to review, remember, deepen and apply their understanding.
• Pupils’ knowledge is built upon year-on-year, and they are taught how to sing fluently and expressively and play tuned and untuned instruments with accuracy and control. They learn to recognise, and name interrelated dimensions of music: pitch, duration, tempo, timbre, structure, texture and dynamics and use these in their own compositions.
• Composing or performing using body percussion and vocal sounds is also part of the curriculum, which develops the understanding of musical elements without the added complexity of an instrument.
• Music is used within other subjects to strengthen the long-term memory of key facts, such as in History, Geography, Spanish or Maths, and the benefits of using Music in this way are valued and enjoyed.
• Children are able to have individual piano lessons, if they wish to, with the direction of a specialised Music teacher who visits the school each week.

What is the impact of music on our pupils? (Impact)

The impact of the Music curriculum at All Saints’ Primary can be seen through:

• Our pupils develop a genuine love and enjoyment for music. They appreciate the value of music as a means of self-expression and as a way to connect with others.
• Our pupils develop an understanding and appreciation of different musical styles and genres, both from their own cultural backgrounds and from around the world.
• Children are able to enjoy music in as many ways as they choose, either as listener, creator or performer.
• Children have the opportunity to discuss and share their own thoughts, opinions and ideas, acknowledging and respecting that these may vary and that this is positive. They can dissect music and comprehend its parts. They can sing and feel a pulse.
• At All Saints’ children are provided with opportunities beyond the National Curriculum to further and support their understanding. These include having visitors with a musical talent, visiting concerts, individual music tuition, performances and school productions.

Music Subject Lead: Mrs Fern

Playing, singing and listening to music is known to positively affect your health and wellbeing. Some benefits are: increasing your memory, boosting your team skills, teaching perseverance, enhancing your coordination, sharpening your concentration, relieving stress and promoting happiness. I understand personally how important music learning is, as I was fortunate to go to a primary and then secondary school that offered music lessons and many opportunities to play in bands and groups as part of school performances and community events. Therefore, knowing the many positive benefits music can bring to your life, I am pleased to be the music subject leader at our school, and promote and support the engagement and teaching of music. 

Music is an incredibly rewarding subject to teach and lead. It gives you the opportunity to support and engage with pupils, who sometimes struggle with other subjects, and see them flourish, succeed and most importantly, enjoy their learning. Learning music skills helps to develop essential behaviours and equips young people to successfully take their place in an ever-changing world.

Subject Champion Quotes