Intent
Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. At Carr Infant School, Music teaching aims to follow the specifications of the National Curriculum providing a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum and ensuring the progressive development of musical concepts, knowledge and skills.
We believe that music plays an integral role in helping build children’s confidence and self-esteem and it enables them to feel part of a community. Therefore we aim to provide opportunities for all children to create, play, perform and enjoy music both in class and to an audience.
The aims of our Music curriculum are to develop pupils who: Enjoy and have an appreciation for music; Listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, cultures, styles and traditions; Can sing and use their voices to create different effects; Create and compose music, both on their own and with others; Use a range of musical language; Make judgements and express personal preferences about the quality and style of music. Take part in performances with an awareness of audience.
Implementation
We teach music using the Charanga scheme. Teachers follow the suggested scheme of work with lessons broken down into half-termly units and an emphasis is placed on musical
vocabulary, allowing children to talk about pieces of music using the correct terminology.
Each unit of work has an on-going musical learning focus and lessons usually follow a specific
learning sequence:
Music is also used in other areas of the curriculum, throughout the school to aid learning, to create a calming learning environment, and to encourage children to listen to music for pleasure.
In Nursery and Reception, music is an integral part of children’s learning journeys. Rhyme and rhythm are utilised throughout the learning of phonics, handwriting and mathematics. Children learn a wide range of songs and rhymes and develop skills for performing together. Singing and music making opportunities are used frequently to embed learning, develop musical awareness and to demonstrate how music can be used to express feelings.
Pupils have regular opportunities to sing in class and in assemblies. Children have opportunities to perform to their families at Christmas concerts and Nativity performances and at other times during the year, such as Harvest. Staff regularly share children’s performances with their families via the Dojo platform.
Music specialists come in to school to work with children; Year 1 have recorder lessons during the Spring term.
Impact
Music lessons will increase children’s self confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they will develop a growing musical vocabulary that allows them to critically engage with music. Teaching and learning of music is a reflective process for the children as they are given the opportunities to assess themselves and their peers.
At Carr Infant and Nursery School we follow the Chranga music scheme.