Music
Teaching Music at Over Hall Community School
'Be supported, feel supported - make a difference'
Music lead: Miss Marshall
Intent
At Over Hall we see Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. We provide a high quality music education which engages and inspires pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians. This contributes to ensuring that children develop a whole sense of self through increasing their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As our chidlren progress through our music curriculum - Charanga- they develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon. Children in Key Stage 2 will take part in instumental tuition lessons with a specialist music teacher for 2 years, learning to play the clarinet, trumpet or trombone.
We aim to ensure that all children:
- 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
Please see the attached documents where you will find our Music Curriculum, outlining the learning across EYFS, Key Stage One and Key Stage 2. The Progression of Knowledge and Skills in Music which shows pupil outcomes against the National Curriculum Statements, for EYFS this document shows the Music knowledge and skills they will aquire in Reception plus the EYFS Framework or Development Matters statements taught through Music. Finally, the Music Policy.
Implementation
Music is taught using the Charanga scheme of work which is based upon the EYFS Framework and National Curriculum objectives. Children study a diverse range of artists, genres and composers. Music builds upon the following key areas: performance, listening to and evaluating 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 and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence.
Leadership:
As a result of effective leadership staff receive training and support ensuring they have the knowledge, expertise and skills to effectively implement music within their cohort. Visits and specialists within the subject are hugely influential in the delivery of the curriculum. In Years 4 and 5 children are taught to read music to play and instrument with a music specialist.
Equal opportunities:
All children are given sufficient time to access the music curriculum.
Planning:
The long-term plan is for children to build upon their knowledge and skills, encompassing effective musical study; building knowledge and awareness through exploration of a variety of musical sources; to read music, to compose their own music and to perform across a range of locations.
Breadth and depth:
In all year groups, children are expected to use musically accurate language and terms.
Our curriculum begins in EYFS and Key Stage One, where pupils explore:
- Listen and appraise a variety of genres, composers and artists.
- Use musical terminology, including pitch and tempo.
- Play a tuned instrument.
- Perform as part of a group and individually.
- Sing as part of a group, and understand how to warm up their voices prior to performing.
In Key Stage Two, our pupils explore:
- Playing a tuned instrument by reading music.
- Understanding musical notation including crotchet, quaver, rest etc.
- Perform individually and as part of a group.
- Compose music.
- Use musical terminology, building on that from Key Stage 1.
- Listen and appraise a range of music throughout history.
As well as completing work inside the classroom, opportunities for enrichment are frequently sought to engage pupils and support them in applying their musical enquiry skills in real-life settings. Wherever possible, such opportunities also develop and enrich the children’s appreciation and knowledge of their local area.
Such experiences include: Performing at the local shopping centre over the Christmas period, taking part in a Carol Concert in the local church, Years 4 and 5 performing their instruments in the local town and taking part in the Winsford Education Partnership Christmas Cantata. Extra-Curricular and Enrichment activities are regularly offered to promote a sharing of skills, confidence and creativity (Choir). Children are given the opportunity to evaluate their own and others work.
Assessment:
During lessons, teachers check that the children have learnt the necessary knowledge and have the skills required to complete the key learning tasks – this is demonstrated through discussion, observation and via short quizzes at the start or end of lessons. Teachers also use this assessment in a timely manner to identify common misconceptions and feedback which informs planning and adjustments to their teaching.
Teachers carry out assessments of the children as part of everyday teaching, and at the end of a unit of work to check learning. Both types of assessment help teachers to plan the next steps and they also help to monitor children’s progress and provide reports for parents and carers.
On entry to Reception, children take part in a national Baseline Assessment to assess skills in all areas. Reception staff record children’s progress using the Foundation Stage Profile. Teachers and Teaching Assistants observe and assess children whilst they are engaging in a variety of activities. The assessments cover all the areas taught in the Foundation Stage, including the child’s emotional and social adjustment to school. The staff use the information they gather to plan appropriate work for all the children in their care. A copy is given to the parents at the end of the school year, and termly updates are sent out.
Teacher Assessment takes place in all year groups throughout the year across the curriculum. Teacher assessments are guided by the subject specific end points presented on each year group's knowledge organiser - accessible to children, parents/carers and staff.
Verbal and summary reports that detail current attainment, progress alongside attendance are given at parent consultation evenings which are held in Autumn and Spring Terms. Parents/Carers are also informed if their child is/is not identified as SEND at these consultations.
An annual report is written by staff and shared with parents in the Summer Term. Detailing achievement and progress, a statement and target within the core subjects; alongside an indication of achievement and effort in the foundation subjects; and a final comment upon the whole child.
Subject leaders have a firm grasp of performance and delivery as a result of pupil voice, staff voice, work scrutiny and data scrutiny alongside lesson observation.
Impact
Through our teaching and learning of music, pupils have a positive view of the subject and are able to enthusiastically communicate their knowledge of musicality. Pupils will feel like musicians as they complete and master musical skills.
Musical Texts
There are a vast range of non-fiction books centred around music; for example Orchestra by Avalon Nuovo. If your child would like to learn more about this exciting subject there are books available to look at in school or to borrow from Winsford library. Some other texts that lend themselves to a musical focus but provide a fiction setting are: Jazz Dog by Marie Voigt (EYFS/KS1), Sonam and the Silence by Eddie Ayers (KS2), The Accidental Rock Star by Tom McLaughlin (KS2), In the Key of Code by Aimee Lucido (KS2), Kaya's Heart Song by Diwa Tharan Sanders & Nerina Canzi (EYFS/KS1). For more books based on themes or subject areas please visit: https://www.booksfortopics.com/
If you require any further information please see the specific year groups curriculum overview, speak with a class teacher or the music coordinator - Miss Marshall.