Cedarwood Primary School

Intent

At Cedarwood, we recognise the power of music as a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. We intend that our Music curriculum will engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. We intend that as pupils progress, they will develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best that has been produced across different genres and traditions and historical periods.

Implementation

At Cedarwood, The National Curriculum, along with Charanga music scheme is used as a basis upon which to plan skills and knowledge progression. Lessons are brought to life through high quality resources and rich experiences, including opportunities to perform for a range of audiences. Topics are planned to engage, inspire, support and challenge all pupils and equip them with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to develop as musicians in their own right, who have an appreciation of music in its many forms.

The National Curriculum aims for Music to ensure that all pupils:

• 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 musical notations

In addition, we aim for all pupils to:

• gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing and composing, across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres
• develop a curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the validity and importance of all types of music, and an unbiased respect for the way that music is expressed in any person’s life
•  understand the value and importance of music in the wider community, and are able to use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts

Assemblies and lesson openers focus on listening and appraising music from across different genres, traditions, composers and musicians from different historical periods.

In Key Stage 1, pupils focus primarily on musical aspects, such as singing, instruments, improvisation, performance and musical dimensions, such as pulse  and rhythm (duration), structure, dynamics, tempo and pitch.

In Key Stage 2, pupils consolidate their knowledge, skills and confidence within the above aspects of the music curriculum and build upon these as they explore and learn composition, notation, timbre and texture.

Links are made across the curriculum, wherever possible, in order to support pupils' wider and longer term learning. The school also has whole class ensemble teaching in Year 5 where children are taught either violin or brass. These lessons incorporate teaching musical notation, singing, as well as learning to play an instrument.  Follow on group music lessons are also available to pupils in Year 6 to continue to develop their skills and ability on a musical instrument the following year. Opportunities are taken to perform in class, in whole assemblies, to parents and the wider community.

In addition, we have a very successful choir which meets after school. The choir perform regularly in assemblies and at school events, such as Christmas and Summer Fairs, to parents in school concerts, and the wider community. They have participated in the recordings for charity Christmas CDs and over the years have enjoyed showcasing their talents at prestigious settings, including Snape Maltings, Wembley Arena, The Albert Hall and the O2.

The Music department has good strong links with Kesgrave High School, who work with staff and pupils to assist with Teachers’ CPD and the pupils’ learning both within the classroom and whole school assemblies and performances. The intention is to encourage an even stronger link between students and pupils in both environments in order to encourage the love of learning and performing.

Talented and professional musicians within the staff, pupils’ parents and local community are invited to come into whole school assemblies to celebrate their skills.

Pupils’ achieving skills of excellence such as passing instrumental exams or performing at outside venues and theatres are encouraged to contribute to this also within our Celebration Assemblies.

Impact:

Our approach to the curriculum results in an engaging and high-quality music education. We seek to inspire pupils to develop a love of music and develop their talent as musicians, and in turn increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.