Subject Leader - Miss Wood

Link Governor - Mrs Holden

Music Curriculum Documents

Music Policy

Music Curriculum Overview

Intent

At The Priory Primary School, we are committed to providing a Music curriculum that provides students with opportunities to play musical instruments, sing, listen and appraise, compose, read and write, and perform music. We believe that Music in education can help spark a child’s imagination or ignite a lifetime of passion as well as helping a child develop life-long skills enabling them to achieve their full potential.

We strive to ensure that all of our children have the opportunity to play a tuned musical instrument with instruction from specialist peripatetic music teachers, who are skilled in delivering a practical and knowledgeable music curriculum. Its main aims are to develop children’s musical interests and to introduce them to opportunities to play, perform, and learn about music.

We recognise that music enables our young children to build their confidence and self-esteem to become more confident and independent individuals in preparation for future careers. Music encourages children to become more creative and critical thinkers as well as improve their cognitive function and academic performance.

Curriculum Drivers

Cultural Heritage:

• Our Music curriculum aims to stimulate curiosity and enthusiasm within our children and encourage them to question, investigate, and explore music worldwide.
• Working alongside SIPS Music service, we provide structured peripatetic and whole class lessons giving our children the opportunity to play a musical instrument and participate in other various musical activities that will enrich their experiences and develop life-long skills including listening, performing, communication, creative, and social skills.
• We believe that our Music curriculum provides pupils with opportunities to gain the skills they will need in future life and facilitate them to be able to adapt to an ever-changing world.
• Where possible, we provide school trips for our school choir and ensembles as well as invite external visitors into our school to carry out workshops to enrich children’s understanding of how and why Music features within the wider world.

Aspirations

• Our Music curriculum is planned so that all of our pupils are given the opportunity to explore different styles of music worldwide and therefore participate and engage in making music together.
• We enrich all curriculum areas, including Music, by introducing our children to different career options linked to subjects, such as a performer, a composer, a music teacher, a musical director, or music therapist. We do this through peripatetic lessons and by inviting people within these careers to come and talk to our children.
• We aim to inspire our children to leave primary school with a love and curiosity for Music and a desire to want to study it at secondary school and at University.

Awe and Wonder:

• Pupils should enjoy what they are learning and performing and each style of music should stimulate curiosity and enthusiasm, giving the opportunity for children to think philosophically and to ask meaningful questions.
• High-quality brass and woodwind instruments are used within each lesson by the staff as well as the children in order for them to receive the best experiences of performing within Music.
• Where possible, we form partnerships with external organisations to give our children opportunities to learn outside of the curriculum and learn from specialists.

Experiential learning:

• We believe that experiential learning helps to develop musical sensitivity, listening skills, and techniques for establishing contact with others and understanding their music.
• We believe that musical experimentation unlocks new musical ideas and methods of music making which children can then use in their future learning.
• Children are given the opportunity to take their instruments home for further practice giving them the freedom and ownership of their own learning.
• We believe in giving pupils the freedom to make their own choices about the instruments they choose to play and the techniques they use to create their own music, encouraging them to learn from experience by constantly reflecting and evaluating their work.

Language and oracy:

• Vocabulary is a key part of our Music curriculum based on the needs of our pupils. Throughout all Key Stages and topics, key vocabulary is chosen and built upon. This forms a key part of the Music progression made throughout the year.
• Music and songs often contain rich and varied language that can expose students to new words and expressions which can help improve their understanding and fluency of reading.
• By using music in the classroom, teachers can help students expand their vocabulary and improve their understanding of the language.