Music

Music Statement of Intent

At Half Acres we believe that Music is a universal language that everyone can understand. It is academic, physical and emotional. Through their engagement in musical studies we intend that our pupils will:

  • Sharpen their cognitive skills and increase their capacity to perform tasks that require sustained attention and careful listening and reading.
  • Increase their collaborative skills through performing in groups.
  • Develop their imagination and intellectual curiosity.
  • Become more emotionally developed, empathic towards others and be better equipped to cope with negative emotions.

Music study leads to lasting changes in children’s brains and we feel confident that an investment in musical studies in our primary school will deliver lifelong benefits for our pupils.

Implentation

All music lessons will start by re-capping on previous learning.  This will be scaffolded by the teacher.  Music lessons will have opportunities for the children to listen and critique composers developing knowledge and skills in discussing the key elements of music; genre, tempo, pitch, timbre and dynamics.  Teachers will clearly model vocabulary, knowledge and new skills.  Lessons for music will be largely practical. Assessment will be on going and will inform planning and differentiation so all children are provided for.   

At Half Acres, we use Charanga to support the delivery of our music curriculum. Charanga is a scheme of work which offers a topic-based approach to support children’s learning in music. A steady progression plan has been built into Charanga, both within each year and from one year to the next, ensuring consistent musical development. By using Charanga as the basis of a scheme of work, we can ensure that they are fulfilling the aims for musical learning stated in the National Curriculum: Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.

In addition to Charanga, the music curriculum is also enhanced by additional music opportunities including whole school singing assemblies and choir club. 

We also hold an annual competition called ‘Last Choir Standing’ where each class learns a song on a common theme, most recently linked to British values. They then perform as part of an in-house competition with one class being crowned the winner in each Key Stage. 

Impact

Children have the disciplinary and substantive knowledge (knowledge and skills) to work like a musician and make sustained progress in music. Children have confidence to experiment with sound and a range of instruments and to perform in front of others. Our children will be able to confidently talk about the music provision in school and what opportunities they have had to develop their skills and understanding.  By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils will have had opportunities to; play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts, using their voices and playing musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression.Â