Music

Intent

At Murdishaw West Community Primary, we believe the involvement of musical related activities across the curriculum supports a child to achieve a higher level of vocabulary, communication and success in their school experience and later on in life. Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory. We also believe that music embodies the highest form of human creativity alongside the arts and gives rise to this in others. Therefore; at Murdishaw West, music is highly celebrated and embraced.

 

The National Curriculum Aims of Music :

The children will: -

• Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians.

• Learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence.

• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.

 

The aim of the Model Music Curriculum 

The aim of the MMC is to ensure a universal provision of music education, for all pupils in all schools. In time and resources, this provision is as follows:  

• At Key Stages 1 and 2, pupils should receive a minimum of one hour of teaching a week;

• In Years 3 or 4, it is recommended that each class should start a whole-class instrumental programme lasting a minimum of one term. 

• Opportunities for development should continue beyond the mandatory term.  

• There should be access to both rhythmic and melodic instruments in Key Stages 1 and 2; this may be as part of the whole-class instrumental programme and/or in other classroom teaching.  

 

Murdishaw West Primary Schools Aims of Music

Along with implementing the National Curriculum aims of music and the Model Music Curriculum, Murdishaw West Primary School aims to ensure all children in our school have access to, and enjoy, music across the curriculum.

Murdishaw West Primary School strongly believe that music is a practical, creative subject which can be of benefit to all children in developing imagination, vocabulary and understanding, as well as the ability to listen attentively and express personal thoughts and feelings.

 

Implementation

All children will be taught the skills and knowledge of music as outlined in the in the National Curriculum for music.

The implementation of this policy is the responsibility of all teaching staff.

All class teachers are responsible for ensuring the music aims are taught to pupils in their class.

 

• Our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) children have the same access to the music curriculum as our Key Stage One children. The emphasis for EYFS is enjoyment and participation, as well as supporting children to reach the Early Learning Goals set out in the Statutory Framework for The Early Years Foundation Stage.

• Each class spends at least one hour each week in music activities. The children are taught music in a variety of situations across a variety of genres.

• We follow the Kapow programme of work.

• In Years 3 /4  & Y4/5 they are working on a rolling two year programme with both classes following the same units each term 

• Musical activities are planned in such a way as to encourage full and active participation and enjoyment by all children irrespective of ability.

• Children will be given opportunities to listen to and discuss examples of work.

• The musical elements of pitch, duration, pace, timbre, texture, dynamics and structure will be progressively taught.

• Children will develop a musical vocabulary and knowledge.

• Opportunities for singing and opportunities for using instruments will be provided.

• Every year, every child will learn to play a different tuned or untuned instrument and perform to an audience.

• We will make links with music and other subjects, as music is a subject that lends itself to cross curricular work e.g. Dance - response to music through PE, to stimulate an artistic activity, to accompany a poem.

• Equal value and consideration is given to music from all cultures and equal value is given to the contribution of both men and women in the world of music.

• Children will be increasingly challenged as they move through the school. This progression will have three aspects:

  • Increasing breadth and range of musical experiences.

  • Increasing challenge and difficulty in musical activities.

  • Increasing confidence, sensitivity and creativity in the children’s music-making.

 

Impact

Individual progress in music is tracked using the year group assessment grids. The class attainment is then recorded on a Insight

Music is monitored by the Subject Leader and a member of SLT at pupil progress meetings. Teachers will strive to improve a child’s music ability.

Music will be used to promote excellence and enjoyment; it will have a strong presence in our school ethos.

Child will achieve a higher level of vocabulary, communication and success in their school experience.