Music

Intent

At Little Kingshill we intend that every child shall enjoy opportunities to learn about music in all its forms, to enjoy the opportunity to make music, listen to and appreciate it and understand the specialist aspects of it, its language, its patterns and its notation. We want our children to enjoy performing together, and to see the links between music and performance across the Arts. We intend through teaching of the National Curriculum 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 inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.

Implementation

Little Kingshill uses the Charanga scheme for music and in Key Stage 1 this covers basic skills such as pulse, rhythm, pitch and tempo.  Both Key stages learn to sing both in class lessons but also in our weekly singing assembles and for those in KS2 choir.  They also have the opportunity to play both non-pitched and pitched instruments.  A steady progression plan has been built into Charanga, both within each year and from one year to the next, ensuring consistent musical development. By using Charanga as the basis of a scheme of work, we can ensure that they are fulfilling the aims for musical learning stated in the National Curriculum. Charanga provides many examples of music styles and genres from different times and places. These are explored through the language of music via active listening, performing and composing activities, which enable understanding of the context and genre. Alongside this, the school receives highquality sessions from outside agencies.

All children are given the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument, from standard classroom instruments to individual instrumental lessons with visiting specialist teachers. We encourage singing and listening to music for all children across KS1 and KS2, as well as in EYFS, with our Music of the Week in assemblies. We sing a variety of songs during singing assemblies with an emphasis on children’s spiritual and moral development. All children are given the opportunity to perform to their peers and families throughout their time at Little Kingshill. At Christmas, EYFS, KS1 and 2 perform a Christmas Carol service.  Class assemblies for parents and other community presentations allow the children to understand the importance of preparing for performance and promotes self-confidence and sense of achievement. We also have regular visits from theatrical groups. Little Kingshill also prides itself on the superb productions delivered to parents and children have the opportunity to shine in these spectacular events.

Impact

Whilst in school, children have access to a varied programme, which allows students to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. The integral nature of music and the learner creates an enormously rich palette from which a student may access fundamental abilities such as: achievement, self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others, and self-reflection. Music will also develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to students individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world. Children are able to enjoy music, in as many ways as they choose- either as listener, creator or performer. They can dissect music and comprehend its parts. They can sing and feel a pulse. They have an understanding of how to further develop skills less known to them, should they ever develop an interest in their lives.