St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School
Music Curriculum Statement
Intent
In our school we aim for children to have and develop a lifelong love and appreciation for music. We achieve this through our music lessons, music groups e.g choir, instrument groups, international links, visitors, celebrations and through our spirituality and collective worship.
In our curriculum we aim to ensure that all pupils:
• Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music.
• Be taught to sing, create and compose music with a range of instruments.
• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated.
Our vision is for each child to perform music through both voice and instrument. We aspire for the children to be confident performers who enjoy sharing their talents with others. Through our curriculum we aim to inspire children through music by providing a range of rich musical opportunities and experiences. In our school a love of music is promoted through singing, performing and listening so children can appreciate the power and gift of music. We aim to encourage and nurture children’s talents and enthusiasm. St. Patrick’s intention is that children develop their understanding of what music is, through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing. They learn to appreciate a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. We enable our pupils and provide opportunities for them to share their musical talents with the wider community
Implementation
Our curriculum is a combination of using the core scheme ‘Charanga’ plus personalised music plans linked to other subject areas. Music lessons are 30 minute weekly sessions, where children are engaged, enthusiastic and active learners. At the end of each topic children perform their song to an audience. This gives the children’s learning a purpose and is also a celebration of their learning.
The elements of music are taught in the classroom lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to dissect it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed. At the beginning of each lesson children are asked to recall previous learning to build on skills and knowledge previously learnt. Key vocabulary is continually reinforced to help children to be able to articulate their learning.
During the autumn term, music is linked to MFL. Each class studies different genres of music from a certain country. During the term they learn a song in an international language and perform it to an audience on the celebration of International Languages and Music Day.
In the classroom students learn how to play an instrument. In doing so they understand the different principles of creating notes, as well as how to read basic music notation. They also learn how to compose music by focussing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music. Children have the opportunity to play a range of percussion and tuned instruments. In addition, the school purchases extra music tuition for drumming and ukelele lessons for Years 4-6.
Composing or performing using body percussion and vocal sounds is also part of the curriculum, which develops the understanding of musical elements without the added complexity of an instrument. Through the year classes compose their own song with a local songwriter. Children are given the opportunity to create and perform their own song often with links to other subject areas e.g History, R.E. This allows the children to share their learning and embed their key knowledge through music. Children having ownership of these songs results in a strong sense of pride and achievement when they perform.
Music is an integral part of our spiritual life. In collective worship, class liturgies and school Masses, children sing liturgical hymns and listen to music in reflective prayer. They create and share their own songs based on prayer. Classes celebrate, pray and reflect through the power of music.
Impact
Our music curriculum ensures that children have access to a wide variety of music which inspires and creates curious and informed learners. 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.
Children have many opportunities to perform their songs through voice and instrument. Through performing, children are becoming more confident in sharing their talents. Children are aware of the impact of their performance to the audience. 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.
Through linking to MFL, music develops 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 have an understanding of how to further develop skills less known to them, should they ever develop an interest in their lives.
Singing and performing is very much part of our whole school. We pride ourselves as a singing school, especially in prayer and worship. We also take every opportunity to share our talents with the parish and wider community. We were asked to represent The Tees Valley area at the regional Primary Schools Singing competition at Durham Cathedral where we were successful and became The North East Primary School Choir of 2024!
