Learning how to tap along to a beat in Reception
Intent
Introduction – Vision and Aims
At Ridgeway Primary Academy we are committed to providing all children with learning opportunities to engage in Music. This policy sets out a framework within which teaching staff and non-teaching staff can work, and gives detailed guidance on planning, teaching and assessment.
Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and develop their talent as musicians. We aim to deliver a practical curriculum which enables pupils to creatively express their ideas, thoughts and feelings through music. We also aim to develop pupils self-confidence by encouraging them to perform individually or within small groups throughout the year. Music provides many opportunities to promote and develop pupils spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through the acquisition of knowledge of music from different cultures and eras. Our vision for music at Ridgeway is that we provide every child with high quality music experiences, which engage and inspire them. We provide opportunities for all children to create, play, perform and enjoy music and to appreciate a variety of musical genres. We aim for every child to leave Ridgeway Primary School with a range of musical skills, knowledge and a love of music that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
The DFE ask that school’s publish a Music Development Plan. Ridgeway’s plan can be found by clicking here.
Curriculum Drivers in Music
We give children opportunities to be imaginative, to use experiences and observations to make connections in their learning and appreciate that learning can be accomplished in different forms. To do this, we have established some key ‘curriculum drivers’ which outline our aspirations for our children by the time they leave us (Expressive Communicators, Healthy Champions, Life Long learners, World Citizens and Open to possibilities). Our ‘curriculum drivers’ are designed to enable our pupils to ‘Reach for the Stars’ through their learning. We aim for our children to grow both academically and socially and our curriculum has been created to achieve these aspirations for all.
ExpresSive Communicators
Our music curriculum encourages pupils to communicate their ideas and to listen to the ideas of others when composing as part of a group. Pupils are also encouraged to give constructive feedback to their peers which enables pupils to develop the skills needed to give feedback in a respectful manner.
Life-Long LeArners
As part of the pupil’s musical journey at Ridgeway they learn to play musical instruments. This is an aspect of learning that requires lots of practice and resilience. Developing such skills will empower pupils to overcome challenges that they face in the future. Our music curriculum also encourages pupils to improve their work by reflecting upon areas that they could improve on within their compositions and performances.
WoRld Citizens
Our Music curriculum aims to develop pupils understanding of a wide range of music from different genres and cultures. We teach pupils to be respectful of all music and develop their understanding of how culture influences music. We teach pupils about how music has changed throughout history and study a wide range of composers.
Open to PoSsibilities
Our Music curriculum aims to enable children to see a wide range of possibilities when they are given a task. They can choose to compose in their own way and are encouraged to audition for any role during our school performances.
Curriculum Organisation
The teaching of skills are taught as part of a programme which shows progression across the school. Art and Design skills are usually taught thematically, offering cross curricular links to subjects. However, there are times when the teaching of certain skills are taught as stand-alone lessons, where staff find a more effective learning outcome can be achieved. Activities to ensure National Curriculum coverage and a progression of skills have been planned by the coordinator and teachers representing each year group. A skills progression document has recently been developed which outlines the key objectives that each year group needs to cover.
Implementation
Curriculum Progression
At Ridgeway, our music curriculum follows the Charanga scheme, which is used as a planning tool in conjunction with Ridgeway’s Music Progression and Vocabulary Document. Both the scheme and the progression document follow the National Curriculum key skills and programs of study for the primary phase. Staff integrate these units of work in a cross curricular thematic way where possible links can be made.
Class teachers have worked to place the units in the most suitable point throughout the year to ensure they fit to the holistic teaching that our curriculum follows. Some units are taught stand-alone – for an hour a week – whereas some units are blocked and taught throughout the course of a few weeks
We teach music in Nursery and Reception classes as an integral part of the topic work covered during the year. As part of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, we relate the musical aspects of the children’s work to the objectives set out in the Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Music contributes to a child’s personal and social development. Counting songs foster a child’s mathematical ability, and songs from different cultures increase a child’s knowledge and understanding of the world. Nursery and Reception classes also have access to the Charanga Music Scheme.
Regular review and reflect meetings are carried out to ensure that coverage of the curriculum is being met. Teachers, senior leaders and the Music coordinator review coverage against the Music National Curriculum as well as Ridgeway’s Progression and Vocabulary Document.
Please click here to read the Music progression document
Our Music Development Plan is currently being created – watch this space!
Year 5 have been using famous artist, Peter Thorpe, to inspire their artwork.
Building 3D Igloos—Year 1
Curriculum Progression
The Charanga Music scheme ensures that progression is catered for as children move through each year group and key stage, as well as making links with previous learning. The units systematically build upon children’s prior knowledge, building upon their understanding of each area of the Music curriculum.
Ridgeway’s Progression and Vocabulary Document has also been created, which is used in conjunction with the Charanga scheme. The document features four threshold concepts: To understand how to perform, to understand how to compose and improvise, to understand how to listen to sound and to know how to reflect and evaluate. Under these threshold concepts, the document follows a progression of skills; these have then been matched to each year group’s unit. In addition, there is a progression of vocabulary, which ensures that vocabulary is progressively taught at the right point to marry with the skills that are being introduced.
Enrichment
Enhancing learning experiences is a driving force behind the planning, development and teaching of our curriculum. The children learn from visitors that have different careers within the scope of Art and Design in order to raise aspirations amongst the children. Where possible interactive resources are used to help children experience places such as Art gallery’s which they might otherwise not have the opportunity to visit. Art is linked to a variety of subjects catering for all interests and has been an integral part of our focus weeks and ELL weeks in previous years. We welcome opportunities to work with our community and the Art hub has planned local art exhibits for children and parents to visit.
Exploring making patterns using tools and paint—Year 4