Music
Music Intent
At Garfield Primary, pupils learn that music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. We intend music to be an inspiring and enjoyable learning experience which develops musical skills and prepares children for Key Stage 3.
The national curriculum for music aims 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.
Music Implementation
Music at Garfield is supported by Kapow Music plans, ensuring a well-structured approach and a systematic progression of skills.
Our music curriculum helps children to feel that they are musical and to develop a life-long love of music. We focus on developing the skills, knowledge and understanding that children need to become confident performers, composers, and listeners. We introduce children to music from all around the world and across generations, teaching children to respect and appreciate the music of all traditions and communities. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to listen and compose with increasing confidence. Children develop descriptive language skills when learning about how music can represent different feelings, emotions and narratives.
Whole class ensemble teaching in KS2 means all children have experience learning a tuned instrument such as the ukulele. These lessons incorporate teaching musical notation and singing, as well as learning to play an instrument. Opportunities are taken to perform in class, in whole assemblies and also to parents and the wider community.
Key stage 1
Pupils are taught to:
- use their voices expressively and creatively by singing songs and speaking chants and rhymes
- play tuned and untuned instruments musically
- listen with concentration and understanding to a range of high-quality live and recorded music
- experiment with, create, select and combine sounds using the inter-related dimensions of music.
Key stage 2
Pupils are taught to:
- play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts, using their voices and playing musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression
- improvise and compose music for a range of purposes using the inter-related dimensions of music
- listen with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory
- use and understand staff and other musical notations
- appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality live and recorded music drawn from different traditions and from great composers and musicians
- develop an understanding of the history of music.
Merton Music Foundation (MMF)
Close links with the Merton Music Foundation brings us additional opportunities within our music curriculum, such as Year 5 singing at The Royal Albert Hall and EYFS and Year 1 learning the melodica (Mini musicians)
MMF offers music lessons in woodwind, brass, violin, cello, guitar, piano and the drumkit. These lessons take place during the school day. To apply for lessons, parents register with Merton Music Foundation directly. The number of MMF lessons is limited; when demand exceeds supply, children may be put on a waiting list for certain instruments.
Music Enrichment
Our school choir perform at school events such as the Young Voices celebration at the O2 Arena and Whole School fairs.
Rocksteady https://www.rocksteadymusicschool.com/ provide fun and inclusive in-school rock and pop band lessons once a week for children whose parents sign up. The school currently has four rock bands who perform rock concerts for the school and their parents each term.
Music Impact
We want children to become confident and successful Musicians, with understanding of what the subject will bring to their lives and musical links within their local and wider community. By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes in their programme of study. Age related expectations are reported to parents at the end of Reception. In KS1 and KS2, assessment takes place throughout the year and at the ends of topics. Teachers record progress in Music against National Curriculum expectations for each year group. Teachers use this information to inform future lessons, ensuring children are supported and challenged appropriately. Assessment data is analysed to inform and address any trends or gaps in attainment. Further information is gathered through pupil voice activities, highlighting strengths, achievements and any recommendations for improvements, knowledge and skills that need to be embedded. Each part of the Music curriculum is reviewed termly by the subject leader.
Garfield Primary School's Music Development Plan can be found by clicking on this think: Garfield Primary School - Music development plan Summary