Music

Intent

At Chidham Parochial Primary School children will develop confidence, communication skills, thinking and creative skills through playing, singing, creating and performing.

The National Curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:
• Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music
• Be taught to sing, create and compose music
• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated.

At Chidham our intention is that children gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. We encourage a curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding of the importance of all types of music. We are committed to ensuring children understand how they are able to use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts. Our pupils have access to learning an instrument and the opportunity to perform in front of the class and the wider school community.

Implementation

Our broad and balanced curriculum ensures students sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the classroom activities as well as singing in collective worship, various performances, and the learning of instruments. The elements of music are taught in the classroom lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to dissect it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed.

The music focus across the year groups (this can be seen on the Progressions of skills map) focuses on

*Listening and Appraising

*Musical activities (practical opportunities)

*Singing and voice

*Playing instruments

*Improvisation/Composition

*Perform and share

Within EYFS rhyme and rhythm are an integral part of the children’s learning journey. Children learn a wide range of songs and rhymes and are developing their skills for performing together.

This is often recorded and shared with the parents on Seesaw. Music is often used to help demonstrate how to express feelings and move. Music and movement sessions in the hall as well as listening activities (such as using The Carnival of the Animals) help with this.

Children currently in Year 3 benefit from whole school specialist teaching. They are all learning the recorder.

Alongside the curriculum provision, pupils have the opportunity to participate in additional 1:1 or small group music teaching offered by a private piano teacher (Years 1-6) or with West Sussex Music service (Year 2-6) (violin, cello, flute).

A choir club runs at various points throughout the year. This is open to all KS2 children. All year groups have the opportunity to perform at different stages throughout the academic year – at Harvest, Christmas, Easter, Summer productions plus choir performances. Parents are invited and welcomed to watch these performances.

Impact

Whilst in school, children have access to a varied programme with broader experiences helping to enrich the curriculum. This allows students to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. It celebrates achievement, encourages self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others, and self-reflection. Children learn how music can be used to express emotion. Music will also develop an understanding of culture and history. Children are able to enjoy music, in as many ways as they choose- either as listener, creator or performer. They can dissect music and comprehend its parts. They can sing and feel a pulse. They have an understanding of how to further develop skills less known to them, should they ever develop an interest in their lives. Teachers have the opportunity to plan with children’s interests at heart. Whole class music teaching allows the opportunity for children to learn how to be part of an ensemble and develop a love of music learning.

Click here to view our progression of skills document.