The objectives of teaching music in our school are to enable children to:
- 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 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 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
Teaching and learning style
At Altham School, we make music an enjoyable learning experience. We encourage children to participate in a variety of musical experiences through which we aim to build up the confidence of all children. Singing lies at the heart of good music teaching. Our teaching focuses on developing the children’s ability to sing in tune and with other people. Through singing songs, children learn about the structure and organisation of music. We teach them to listen to and appreciate different forms of music. As children get older, we expect them to maintain their concentration for longer, and to listen to more extended pieces of music. Children develop descriptive skills in music lessons when learning about how music can represent feelings and emotions. We teach children to make music together, to understand musical notation, and to compose pieces.
Music curriculum planning
Our school uses Charanga as the basis for its curriculum planning. This is a complete scheme with a library of songs, topics, instruments and creative apps. There are opportunities for children of all abilities to develop their skills and knowledge in each teaching unit, the progression planned into the scheme of work means that the children are increasingly challenged as they move through the school.
The Early Years Foundation Stage
We teach music in reception classes as an integral part of the topic work covered during the year. As the reception class is part of the Early Years Foundation Stage of the National Curriculum, we relate the musical aspects of the children’s work to the objectives set out in the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) which underpin the curriculum planning for children aged three to five. Music contributes to a child’s personal and social development. Counting songs foster a child’s mathematical ability, and songs from different cultures increase a child’s knowledge and understanding of the world. The reception cohort is also taught music as part of the mixed age group infant class.
Key Stage 1
Following the Charanga scheme of work, KS1 have adopted a two-year cycle, considering the mixed age class. The foundation stage dip into this and have their learning set at an appropriate level. The scheme covers the national curriculum to ensure all pupils experience the following: performance, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of great composers and musicians.
Children learn to sing, create and compose music. They have opportunities to play musical instruments and ‘show-case’ their talents. Children who show a talent and interest in a particular instrument are ‘signposted’, with their parents, on the ways to develop their skills further.
Key Stage 2
In KS2, we continue to follow the Charanga scheme of work. Wherever possible, work is linked to topics and performances. As with KS1, the scheme covers the national curriculum and the units are progressive.
The school choir and musical events
We believe that music enriches the lives of people, and so we wish to involve as many children as possible in musical activities. We have a school choir, which we encourage all children from Year 3-6 to join. The choir meets on a weekly basis and, although its primary aim is to enable children to enjoy singing together, it also performs in public on a number of occasions throughout the year.
We provide opportunities throughout the year for budding musicians to perform for the school community. This includes solo and ensemble performances as part of assemblies, concerts and school performances. This recognises their achievements and celebrates their success.