Intent for Music

At Oakfield Primary School one of key curriculum drivers is for pupils to ‘use creativity’ as thinkers and in the way that they express their thoughts and feelings through listening and appraising music; as doers learning to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own or with others and to have opportunities to perform. We aim to inspire pupils to develop a love and appreciation of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.

Implementation

We have Curriculum Maps for years one to six which ensures that all aspects of the National Curriculum 2014, Key Stages 1 and 2, are covered.  In planning teaching and learning for Music teachers utilise the key skills outlined in the National Curriculum 2014 along with published schemes of work to create medium / short term plans.

Our ‘Progression of knowledge and skills in Music’ document outlines what pupils will be taught in each year group. Our Music Learning Ladder focusses on the key skill areas that pupils will be taught:

• performing
• improvising and composing
• listening and understanding
• dimensions

Pupils take part in a range of activities that integrate performing, composing and appraising.  We provide experience in listening and appraising a wide range of music from different times and cultures as part of our Assemblies and through class activities.  Pupils also have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument with a specialist teacher or to join one of our rock bands. Opportunities are provided for pupils to perform to others in class and through special Assemblies and events.  There are also in class opportunities for pupils to use a range of tuned and untuned percussion instruments, to learn the recorder, to explore African drums, compose and improvise using key boards.

Our Music curriculum is centred around ‘Charanga’, a music-based scheme, in which pupils learn to sing and play instruments or compose their own pieces, often linked to topic themes. They also have the opportunity to develop an understanding of music dimensions – pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture and structure.  Our curriculum has developed, taking into account aspects of the Model Music Curriculum guidance published by the DfE.

We aim to exploit opportunities for cross-curricular work links and inclusion of ICT, including music technology, where appropriate.  The Charanga programme incorporates the use of technology such as ‘Garage Band’, enabling pupils to create their own pieces. 

Some useful links:

Learn all about composers and the orchestra - https://www.classicsforkids.com

Lots and fun and games about music - https://www.musick8kids.com

Classical music interactive learning and games for kids - https://www.sphinxkids.org/

Online music creation and exploration through interactive games – https://www.creatingmusic.com