Pittington Primary School

Music Curriculum Intent

Our Music Lead is: Mrs Rowell

Our Music Link Governor is: Mrs Harland

"Music education can help spark a child's imagination or ignite a lifetime of passion. When you provide a child with new worlds to explore and challenges to tackle, the possibilities are endless. Music education should not be a privilege for a lucky few, it should be a part of every child's world of possibility."        Hillary Clinton

Intent

At Pittington we recognise that music surrounds children’s everyday lives through television, radio, computer games and shopping centres. We want to build upon their experiences and use music to promote their self- confidence, creativity, their sense of achievement and an opportunity to work together. We believe that high quality music education should engage and inspire all children to develop their love of music and their talent as musicians. At Pittington we aim to foster our children’s enthusiasm for the subject, while also giving them the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to support their continued musical journey in and beyond the primary school.

We appreciate that there is a strong link between music and other areas of learning. Learning to sing help develop the physical skills of the child and help with language development, co-ordination and breathing techniques. It helps support the development of communication skills and effective teamwork and offers a sense of achievement and confidence.

Implementation

Music in the Early Years

Music is an integral part of our Early Years curriculum. Children enjoy singing activities and sing nursery rhymes, number rhymes as well as a range of simple songs led by the early years staff. They use percussion instruments to accompany these songs as well as composing their own music using the instruments. In addition, musical instruments are available within the learning environments for the children to access and explore the instruments as part of our continuous provision.

Music in Key Stages 1 and 2

We follow the National Curriculum for Music across Key Stages 1 and 2. When children leave Key Stage 2 we expect them to be able 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 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 interrelated dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate notations

Music across the school is delivered by teaching staff who are all non-specialists in teaching music. However, a number of staff are able to play an instrument and they share they enthusiasm for music with the children. We use the ‘Charanga Music School’ scheme of work which supports all of the requirements of the National Curriculum and gives children access to a wide range of musical concepts and experiences. Staff also dip into this resources as well as planning their own ideas to create stimulating and engaging lessons for our children.

Children in Year 3 participate in County Durham’s Wider Opportunities Programme delivered by a peripatetic music teacher. The children all learn to play the violin and then have the opportunity to continue this into Year 4 and beyond. In Year 4 they will also be offered the opportunity to play a brass instrument. This tuition is delivered by a peripatetic music teacher.

There are also a number of enrichment activities that the children experience throughout the year. In recent years this has included a number of opportunities to listen to live music, sing as part of a much larger group in Durham Cathedral, sing with in local communities and showcase their skills in performances within in our village.

By the end of Key Stage 2 the children will have had opportunities to play and perform using their voices and musical instruments with increased accuracy, fluency, control and expression. They will be to improvise and compose music for a rage of purposes and use staff and musical notation accurately. Opportunities to listen to a range of music from different traditions, genres and from the great composers and musicians. Through these opportunities the children will begin to develop and understanding of musical history.

Singing Assemblies

There are two singing assemblies each week: Reception/Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The assemblies are led by the head teacher, who is a non-specialist, and are an opportunity for the children to learn and perform a range of songs for enjoyment. It is also an opportunity for the children to listen and appraise music that they listen to. The children then have an opportunity to showcase their singing skills in achievement assembly.

Cross Curricular Links

The teaching of Music enhances other curriculum areas. It is the class teachers’ responsibility to bridge other areas of the curriculum to Music, broadening the pupil’s experiences and linking to real life experiences where possible.

Extra-Curricular Music

The school provides a number of opportunities for children to take part in extra-curricular music. Activities vary and include singing, brass group, recorders and boom whackers. These are delivered by the staff within school and external groups.

Community and Cultural Links

Throughout the school year two local brass bands to perform to the children to celebrate activities in school and within the community. Children have the opportunity to participate in Durham Music Events when the opportunities arise and we constantly strive to give the children new experiences through other mediums of music and organisations that visit the area. We have strong links with Durham University Music Department who send students into school to perform and deliver sessions to our children based on their expertise. Music forms a big part of our cultural celebrations that take part in the local church and these include Harvest Festival, Christingle and Easter Services.

Inclusion 

Pittington Primary School is committed to giving all of our pupils every equal opportunity in all aspects of school life.  Our aim is to offer an inclusive curriculum that is relevant and adapted to the needs and abilities of all pupils.  We ensure inclusive opportunities for raising self-esteem and celebrating success so that all learners can reach their true full potential.

At Pittington Primary School we are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers irrespective of race, religion, gender, disability, belief, sexual orientation, age or socio-economic background.  We provide an environment which enables every pupil to feel safe, encourages good health and wellbeing, and promotes relationships that are trustful and respectful.  We believe that every teacher is a teacher of all children including those with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) and it is our duty to value each individual child to enable them to enjoy learning through an inclusive curriculum.  It is our aim to continue to develop a culture of inclusion and diversity in which all those connected to the school feel proud of their identity, where all children have the ability to participate fully in school life, and where children are confident learners both for now and for their futures. 

We tackle any type of discriminatory behaviour or prejudice through the positive promotion of equality, by challenging bullying and stereotypes and by creating an environment which champions respect for all.  We provide all our pupils with the opportunity to succeed and to reach the highest level of personal achievement. We work in partnership with parents, carers, staff, governors and local services within our community to prepare children from Pittington Primary School for life in a diverse society.  We believe that diversity is a strength, which should be reflected and celebrated by all who learn, teach and visit Pittington Primary School.

Equality of Opportunity

Pittington Primary School is committed to giving all of our pupils every equal opportunity in all aspects of school life. Our aim is to offer an inclusive curriculum that is relevant and adapted to the needs and abilities of all pupils. We ensure inclusive opportunities for raising self-esteem and celebrating success so that all learners can reach their true full potential.

At Pittington Primary School we are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers irrespective of race, religion, gender, disability, belief, sexual orientation, age or socio-economic background. We provide an environment which enables every pupil to feel safe, encourages good health and wellbeing, and promotes relationships that are trustful and respectful. We believe that every teacher is a teacher of all children including those with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) and it is our duty to value each individual child to enable them to enjoy learning through an inclusive curriculum. It is our aim to continue to develop a culture of inclusion and diversity in which all those connected to the school feel proud of their identity, where all children have the ability to participate fully in school life, and where children are confident learners both for now and for their futures.

We tackle any type of discriminatory behaviour or prejudice through the positive promotion of equality, by challenging bullying and stereotypes and by creating an environment which champions respect for all. We provide all our pupils with the opportunity to succeed and to reach the highest level of personal achievement. We work in partnership with parents, carers, staff, governors and local services within our community to prepare children from Pittington Primary School for life in a diverse society. We believe that diversity is a strength, which should be reflected and celebrated by all who learn, teach and visit Pittington Primary School.

Resources

The following resources are available to aid the teaching of music at Pittington Primary School;

• Charanga music scheme – all teachers and TA’s have individual logins
• sound system, laptop and projector in the hall
• class ipad to record video and sound
• a range of musical resources on CD which includes classical, popular and cultural music
• a selection of un-tuned percussion instruments
• tuned instruments – glockenspiels, recorders, keyboards and Boomwhackers

Impact

Children will:

• enjoy and appreciate a wide variety of musical styles;
• explore how sounds are made, and how music is produced by a variety of instruments;
• develop imagination and creativity;
• build a sense of pulse and rhythm;
• understand a range of musical vocabulary;
• develop the interrelated skills of composition, improvisation, performance and appreciation;
• enjoy a wide range of songs and sing in tune;
• develop positive attitudes and to experience success and satisfaction in music.

Assessment 

Children demonstrate their ability in music in a variety of different ways. Teachers will assess children’s work in music by making informal judgements as they observe them during lessons. Video recordings are made of live musical performances for the children to use as self-assessment. On completion of a piece of work, the teacher will assess the work and give oral feedback. Older and more able pupils are encouraged to make judgements about how they can improve their own work.

At the end of each unit/block of work, teachers will decide on a pupil’s level of attainment noting which children are: 

• working above the age-related expectations 
• working at the age-related expectations
• working towards the age-related expectations 

These judgements will be made in line with the Long-Term Curriculum Plan for music and the Charanga scheme of work.

Role of the Subject Leader

The role of the Subject Leader is to provide leadership and direction for their subject area and ensure that it is managed and organised to meet the aims and objectives of the National Curriculum as well as those of the school. The Subject Leader, in conjunction with the Senior Leadership Team, has the responsibility for securing high standards of teaching and learning in their subject area as well as playing a major role in the development of school policy and practice. Throughout their monitoring activities, the Subject Leader ensures that practices improve the quality of education provided, meet the needs of all children, raise standards of achievement across the school as well as raising the aspirations of all children. The Subject Leader should liaise with the SENCO to ensure that children with special educational needs are able to fulfil their full potential within the curriculum.

The Subject Leader plays a key role in supporting and motivating teachers, and other staff, across the school. Subject Leaders assist the Senior Leadership Team to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and learning to inform future priorities and targets for the subject area. The Subject Leader should lead by example, by setting high standards in their own teaching.

Subject Leaders are allocated time to monitor their subject areas. These times include staff meeting time, twilight CPD sessions and non-contact time within the school day. Monitoring activities include:

• Observing lessons
• Work samples
• Talking to staff
• Talking to pupils
• Monitoring planning
• Analysing data
• Monitoring displays – this includes wall displays, Learning Journeys
• Auditing resources
• Questionnaire
• External review from an external professional

The Subject Leader identifies needs in their own subject area and recognises that these must be considered in relation to the overall needs of the school. The Subject Leader must understand how their subject area contributes to whole school priorities and to the overall education and achievements of all pupils. There are opportunities throughout the year for Subject Leaders to discuss the strengths and weaknesses within their subject areas to a governor who is specially linked to the subject area as well as meeting with the Curriculum Committee.

Staff Development 

Opportunities for the development of all staff will be provided in order to enhance the quality of Music within the school. The needs of the staff will be identified through the monitoring and evaluation of the subject, which is undertaken by the Music Lead and will be done in conjunction with the whole school development plan. The Music Lead will ensure that any development opportunities undertaken by staff are disseminated throughout the school where necessary to further enhance the quality of Music and therefor directly impact on the outcomes for children. 

Fundamental British Values

British Values is defined by the Department for Education as:

• Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
• Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies to England
• Support for equality of opportunity for all
• Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
• Respect for and tolerance of difference faiths and religious and other beliefs

At Pittington Primary School, we ensure that the fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed and permeate the ethos and work of the school. The curriculum provides a vehicle for furthering and deepening an understanding of these concepts.

We actively encourage the children at our school to be unique, creative, independent and open-minded individuals who respect themselves and others in our school, the local community and across the wider world.

Our aim is to nurture our children on their journey through primary school so that they can grow into caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who can, and will make, a positive difference to society across Britain and the world.