‘Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity’ (The National Curriculum)

Intent

At Slyne-with-Hest St Luke’s we aim for children to enjoy music making and through a wide range of teaching and musical experiences 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. We seek to develop a love of music, curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the importance of all types of music, and respect for the role that music may play in a person’s life. Through quality music experiences we seek to develop a child’s self awareness and self confidence.

We are committed to ensuring children 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.

Implementation

We begin enjoying making music from our Foundation stage - the joy and rhythm of music, including using instruments and sounds coupled with a love of signing ensures an inclusive curriculum from the beginning.

From Year 1 to Year 6, music is delivered using our own scheme of work that has been developed over a number of years and includes elements from Charanga, Music Express online, Sing Up! along with other sources. All children have a weekly music lesson and this is delivered by the music subject leader in all KS2 classes. There is a balance between listening and appraising and all the practical elements of music making. The children explore how music is created, produced and communicated through the inter related dimensions of music.

Pupils learn to perform, listen to and review music (from historical periods, genres, styles and traditions and including great composers). They learn to sing and to use their voices to create and compose music. We sing, as a whole school, regularly in school and at church and at our Christmas and end of year concerts.

All children have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument through the whole class tuition scheme. At present this is started in Year 3 with weekly woodwind lessons in the Spring and Summer terms. Throughout KS2, within class lessons, glockenspiel skills are also taught leading to children playing a full melody line by the end of Year 6.

There is also opportunity for all children to learn how to play:

- keyboard

- percussion (drums),

- woodwind (flute) and

- guitar

through 1:1 or small group instrumental tuition led by tutors from Lancashire Music Service (LMS).

We attend the large local singing festival at the Ashton Hall in Lancaster with Year 2 and Year 5 annually in the Spring along with any other musical opportunities that are presented to us.

Music is enhanced in extra curricular activities – e.g. a large school choir and 'ad hoc' band and also through exciting trips and visits e.g. the annual choir trip to Young Voices in Manchester.

Impact

Music learning is enjoyed and given a high priority by everyone across school. The successful approach to the teaching of music results in a fun, engaging, high quality music education, that provides children with the foundations for their musical literacy that they can take with them once they complete their primary education

The impact of the music curriculum at Slyne-with-Hest St Luke’s is seen in:

• The high levels of engagement in curriculum and extra-curricular musical activities
• the quality performances seen in school concerts, class assemblies and music curriculum evidence videos
• The high % of children reaching the age related expectations in music at the end of the academic year