Music – Intent, Implementation, Impact
"Music is the universal language of mankind.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Intent
At North Petherton, we aim to:
Foster an enjoyment of music
Teach this subject through stimulating and challenging activities
Let music be a powerful medium for self-expression
Value all children’s opinions and contributions
Provide a secure and safe environment where collaboration and co-operation can take place
Develop the children’s skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for performing, composing, listening and appraising
Engage all children in musical activities
Empower our children with the skills and confidence to be a ‘performer’.
Implementation
Our school uses the National Curriculum for music as the basis for its curriculum planning. While there are opportunities for children of all abilities to develop their skills and knowledge in each teaching unit, the progression planned into the scheme of work means that the children are increasingly challenged as they move through the school. The school has purchased a scheme of work that runs through the school from Foundation Stage to Year 6 providing a topic-based, cross-curricular approach to support children’s learning in music and across other subjects through 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.
In addition, Sing Up supports the teaching of songs throughout the school and is the basis of teaching through singing assemblies. Music surrounds us every day of our lives whether it is internal or external. We aim to build on the existing skills and knowledge of our children. Therefore, Music is taught through a “hands-on" approach as it is a very practical subject. Throughout their Music education children at our school will be taught the knowledge, skills and understanding through:
musical activities that integrate performing, composing and appraising
Responding to a range of musical and non-musical starting points
To work individually, in groups and as part of a whole class
Using IT to capture, change and combine sounds
A range of live and recorded music from different cultures
Assembly songs are taught throughout the school
We are also fortunate to have Somerset Music provide music tuition at our school. They offer both individual and group lessons, for which parents are responsible for payment. Additionally, as a school, we fund whole-year group music tuition, and currently, Year 4 students are enjoying Samba lessons.
Impact
Children foster a love of music.
Children are offered the opportunity to play a musical instrument with peripatetic teachers.
Children are given opportunities to share. For example, children who learn instruments can play or show certificates in class and performance assemblies.
What children say about music at North Petherton...
“I like singing all the different songs.”
“I like working as a team in choir.”
“I enjoy the fun action songs we do in choir.”
“Singing makes me happy.”
“We have fun using the glockenspiels.”
“I loved Samba drumming – it was brilliant!”