Music

Music

What we want our children to learn in Music at Ghyllgrove

‘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 their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon – Taken from the National Curriculum for Music.

Our Music curriculum is designed using the National Curriculum with the aim that our children will aspire to:

•           receive a broad and balanced curriculum;

•           develop an understanding of the history of music;

•           listen to and reflect on music from different traditions and composers;

•           experiment with, and compose their own music.

How our children will learn Music at Ghyllgrove

At Ghyllgrove Community Primary School, we aim to make music an enjoyable and creative experience, encouraging all children to participate in the different areas of music.

It is our aim to provide children with exposure to various genre of music and this begins in Foundation stage where we provide links to nursery rhymes and repetitive rhythm.  They can transfer these skills into practice using various everyday objects to create sound. 

In line with the National Curriculum guidelines, opportunities for creating music in a more structured manner are provided during KS1.  Early introduction to notation and key language is also important, and we endeavour to include this in our teaching, as well as providing instrumental lessons.

Music is incorporated into the KS2 timetable for 6 weeks every term and by the end of KS2, our aim is for our children to have listened to a range of music across its history; brought together the key elements of composing music to write their own; and been introduced to a range of instruments.

Children have weekly music assemblies alternating every six weeks from a singing assembly (learning the National Curriculum singing skills) to a music assembly where they are taught key music skills and history.

Ensuring that music is seen as part of everyday learning and not just as a stand-alone lesson, is important at Ghyllgrove Primary.  In order to ensure this happens, music is incorporated into other lessons and routines where possible, for example, different styles of music can be played during registration and home-time. Maths is an integral part of music composition (beats per bar); and languages as the primary wording is Italian.

Ability to access music is important for all at Ghyllgrove Primary.  Lessons are tailored to the needs of the children; pitching them at attainable levels and adapting where necessary. 

Children with additional needs and those with a gift or talent, are considered carefully during the planning process.  Factors such as the classroom environment, the learning resources and the teaching styles are all taken into account and we take every step to ensure each child can access the learning.

Music events vary from year to year, but Ghyllgrove Primary School endeavour to ensure there are experiences for those children who wish to participate. The KS2 choir club runs from September to June, and attend various events including carol singing at our local shopping centre, and the Basildon Music Festival – joining other schools from the local area.

KS1 also have their own choir, and this begins in February, primarily leading up the KS1 music workshop, which, again, brings together children from the local schools to sing and dance to themed songs.

Children can demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways depending on the nature of the tasks.  Teachers will assess learning through filming of practical activities, and this also serves to assist with self- and peer-feedback.  Written work is collected in Topic books and marked in accordance with the success criteria derived during the planning process.  All assessments made are used to assist with future planning and building on the learning and progress of the children.