Music

INTENT

At St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School, we are using the Oak National Academy scheme to deliver lessons that reflect the aims and purpose of the national curriculum by supporting pupils to develop their knowledge of music and skills in music-making, instilling a love of music and musical learning as well as fostering creativity, expression and confidence. 

This curriculum develops pupils as musicians, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject as a platform for a lifelong connection with music. Through performance, composition and engaged listening, pupils develop their musicianship and experience a diverse range of musicians and styles, enabling them to embrace creativity and expression and build their understanding of and confidence in making music both individually and with others. 

The voice is developed as the principal instrument, embracing the joy of singing together and the confidence this can develop. Concepts are taught and embedded through song. Pupils learn how and why they sing, and rehearsal and ensemble skills. 

Our curriculum focuses on performance, composition and engaged listening, through which pupils develop an understanding of the musical elements and how they can be used creatively and expressively. They will also engage with and listen discriminatively to a diverse range of music from different times and places. 

Weekly overview of lessons covered in each year group in music

Overview of lessons taught in each year group

IMPLEMENTATION

Early Years Foundation Stage  

Musical learning is an intrinsic part of the EYFS provision. Original songs and chants and new lyrics sung to traditional melodies forge strong links with the theme of each starting point, and carefully selected pieces of recorded music develop listening skills. Children’s creative responses are encouraged through singing, playing, movement and dance.  

Key Stage 1 & 2 

Practical music-making is at the heart of this curriculum. This is shown through a major focus on singing during key stages 1 and 2, the explicit teaching of practice and ensemble skills, and a range of approaches to composing creatively and joyful examples of making music together. It is through this active musical curriculum that we hope to inspire young musicians to continue their learning beyond the classroom, and set them up to take advantage of wider music opportunities in line with the National Plan for Music Education. 

IMPACT

Whilst in school, children will have opportunities to forge their own musical journey, which allows them to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. The integral nature of music and the learner creates a rich palette from which a child may access fundamental abilities such as: achievement, self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others, and self-reflection. Music will also develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to students individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world. Children are able to enjoy music, in as many ways as they choose - either as listener, creator or performer. They can discuss music and comprehend its parts. They can sing, feel a pulse, add rhythms and create melodies in a group and they can further develop these skills in the future and continue to enjoy and embrace music in their lives.