At Woodcote Primary School, our music curriculum intends to inspire creativity, self-expression, appreciation and enjoyment of music from all cultures, genres and historical periods. We hope to foster a love of music through diverse musical experiences, igniting a curiosity and passion for music throughout life. By listening and participating pupils develop as musicians, performers and composers. Nurture through music allows the children to come together as a community, share experiences, enhancing well-being and belonging.
The aims of our Music curriculum are to develop pupils who:
| Autumn | Spring | Summer |
EYFS | Singing Together Singing for Performance | Percussion to keep a beat Explore instruments to create sounds of feelings
| Rhythm for well-known phrases Call and response songs |
Year 1 | Singing Together Singing for Performance | Musical Appreciation | Rhythm Body Percussion |
Year 2 | Singing Together Singing for Performance | Pulse, Rhythm and Duration | Instruments of the Orchestra Musical Appreciation |
Year 3 | Singing for Performance Rhythm, Pulse | Singing for Performance | Musical Appreciation |
Year 4 | Singing for Performance Rhythm, Pulse Composition | Singing for Performance Musical Appreciation | Singing for Performance Musical Appreciation
|
Year 5 | Singing for Performance Learning an instrument Using and reading musical notation | Singing for Performance Learning an instrument Composition Using and reading musical notation | Singing for Performance Learning an instrument Using and reading musical notation |
Year 6 | Singing for Performance History of Music Musical Appreciation: traditions, great composers and musicians. | Singing for Performance Rhythm, Pitch and composition | Singing for Performance Developing fluency, accuracy, control and expression |
Music is enjoyed throughout the years at Woodcote. Our progression document ensures we cover the National Curriculum and that the teaching of music is built on prior knowledge and a desire to progress well. Teachers use a variety of tools to support them including Oak Academy, BBC teach and SingUp.
In Early Years the children use music whilst engaging in their learning, both as a way of changing mood and also as a learning tool. For example, learning a variety of nursery rhymes and songs to support celebrations, phonics, spelling and mathematics. The children often perform their songs in our weekly sharing assembly and also join with the school in singing together.
In KS1 this is developed further through appreciation of music from around the world and an understanding of rhythm and pulse linked to their cross curricular topics. This includes listening to and commenting on music from a variety of composers from different time periods and music from various religious occasions. Children learn a range of songs and rhymes and develop skills for performing together. They begin to create their own musical notations and play these back. They learn a number of songs for performance, both for assemblies and for their Nativity performances each year.
In KS2 the children are given opportunities to build on these skills. They compose their own music via both tuned and untuned instruments and begin to understand the difference in time signatures and the length of musical notes. Their performance annually in a school play becomes increasingly mature exploring harmonies and accompaniments in ensemble work. Pupils who are confident are encouraged to perform solo and multiple performances in front of mixed audiences are encouraged.
Across KS2 the children learn different pieces from a variety of genres e.g. sea shanties, prayers and pop music, music from both the UK and abroad, both contemporary and historical.
In UKS2 they have the opportunity, twice, to perform with other schools forming a massed choir at the O2 Arena in London in the Young Voices Concert, in front of an audience of thousands. Music as an individual and as part of a mini orchestra, is provided through every child being loaned a Ukulele and given a weekly music lesson where they are taught to read music on a stave. They perform regularly for the school developing their own harmonies and rhythms in ensemble work.
Opportunities are also evident and available, across the age ranges, for working with a variety of visiting music teachers. Musical concerts are given each term from those who play a musical instrument. This includes strings, brass, woodwind and piano. Additionally, there are 4-6 rock bands every year learning to work as ensembles with ‘I-Rock’ and they too perform for parents and the school each term. This also provides vocal opportunities for the children to perform as individuals with their peers backing them as a band.
Assessment
Assessment in music is undertaken via teacher judgement, pupil voice and performance judgements. Children's enthusiasm for music and their knowledge are measured in lessons and also in pupil voice groups. Performances are common and used to inform progress and attainment of skills.