Music

‘If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. 

I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. 

I see my life in terms of music.’

Albert Einstein

Overview

Vision and Intent

At Ladypool Primary, we want our children to develop a lifelong appreciation for music. Music plays an important role in their personal development, education and supplements good mental health.

All pupils are entitled to experience the benefits music can offer them to develop their confidence, self-esteem, listening, social and team skills. 

All pupils are entitled to experience professional performers and musicians, make their own music with others, opportunities to learn a musical instrument, learn to sing and a chance to progress to the next level, if they so wish. 

The children will attend live concerts, watch virtual ensembles, experiment with tuned and untuned instruments, see and hear the sound of traditional instruments from all over the world and attend the school choir. 

We will have professionals in school to lead concerts and ensembles.

We will meet weekly to sing as a whole school. 

We will celebrate a Musician of the Month.

We will listen/ dance to music during the lunch break.

Implementation

Part A: Curriculum Music

We  follow a holistic approach to music.

The Kapow Scheme of work uses a spiral curriculum, where knowledge and skills are built up each year. Children progress in terms of tackling more complex tasks and doing simpler tasks better as well as developing an understanding and knowledge of music.

 The main 5 areas of music are:

1. Performing
2. Listening
3. Composing
4. The history of music
5. The inter-related dimensions of music.

Each unit is designed to combine these strands with a cross-curricular topic designed to encourage the children to explore music enthusiastically. 

Across Key Stage 1 & 2 the children will be taught how to sing fluently and expressively.

They will be guided to play untuned and some tunes instruments with control.

They will learn to recognise and name the different interrelated dimensions of music of pitch, duration, tempo, timbre, structure, texture and dynamics. They will learn to use these in their own improvisations. The children will create, play, perform, listen and enjoy music across a wide range of genres and styles.

Tuned instruments in school              

Part B: Teaching strategies

• Time-tabled weekly lessons from EYFS to Year 6
• Inclusive lessons for all children to access the music curriculum in a fun, engaging way
• Displays in each class to support learning
• Music performances are part of weekly assemblies and lessons
• Celebration of a Musician of the Month
• Paired and group work
• Termly performances by pupils 
• Termly performances by visiting musicians, ensembles and singers
• Representation of both female and male musicians
• Cross-curricular themes

Extra-Curricular Music 

Participation in extra-curricular activities enriches the core curriculum for Music.

• Music performance for each Key Stage group
• instrumental - drums and glockenspiels
• Music service networks: CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Royal Ballet
• School choir led by the Music Lead
• Themed assemblies with parents and carers invited to attend
• Special days and festivals: Mother’s Day, Remembrance Day, Teacher Day, Earth Day, Diwali Day, 
• Attending concerts at the Symphony Hall
• Live concerts in school
• Spanish songs used to support language learning
• Taking part in Create Day- National Schools Programme
• Choir performing at the Youth Prom Choir

Assessment is tracked via the Insight platform where the Music Lead updates her judgements every term. Children will feedback their voice twice in a school year through pupil surveys.

Music outcomes are often shared with parents via X Twitter and school newsletters and through termly performances/ concerts.

Reception- Expressive Arts 

All Reception children will have the opportunity to participate in class performances. They will be encouraged to speak and sing simple songs loudly and clearly, joining with actions. The children will be developing their singing voices with a sense of beat, pitch and rhythm, through musical games and learning seasonal songs.

Schemes of Work and other resources: 

Sparkyard, Out of The Ark, The Musician of the Month,  BBC Bitesize, Oak National Academy

Accommodation: we have a good-size, purpose allocated room that allows our children and staff to use for lessons, instrumental clubs, concert rehearsals and performances. 

CPD for the Music Lead

• Attending the yearly Music Conference in Birmingham
• Zoom meetings
• Ofsted webinars
• Other Music Mark training and updates webinars

Impact

After the implementation of Ladypool Primary’s music curriculum, pupils should leave school equipped with a range of skills and knowledge to enable them to succeed in their secondary school education and be able to enjoy and appreciate music throughout their lives. 

Music Education considers knowledge from different viewpoints- ultimately creating greater tolerance and understanding, harmonious relationships and a sense of self- expression.

What will we do next to develop Music at Ladypool?

• Whole class instrumental lessons for Year 4.

• Continue restock of resources every year

• Identify areas to move music on and maintain high engagement 

• Identify music careers through out of the classroom experiences

• Find opportunities to involve local families 

• Signpost parents to opportunities outside of school- Dance Track programme with Birmingham Royal Ballet.

• Continue with CPD training

• Termly meetings between the Music Lead and school leadership using the self-evaluation tool criteria

• The views of pupils and parents to be considered  when developing music provision.

Curriculum Map