At Walford Primary School, we believe that Music is an essential part of a balanced education for all children. Music is a powerful, unique form of communication and is a vehicle for self-expression; is an integral part of all cultures, past and present; develops concentration, perseverance, co-ordination and memory; promotes co-operation, a sense of group identity and togetherness; increases self-discipline and creativity, sensitivity and fulfillment; can inspire and motivate.

We provide children with a broad Music education, which includes performing, composing, listening, reviewing and evaluating music; make singing a part of every child’s school life through all the key stages; give every child in key stage 2 the opportunity to learn an instrument through whole class ensemble teaching (Year 3 and Year 4); offer opportunities for progression, making musical instrument tuition available for those who desire it (available in Piano, Guitar, Brass, Drums, Saxophone, Flute, Violin and more).

INTENT

At Walford Nursery & Primary School, pupils will:

• Show an awareness of music from different traditions and cultures.
• Understand the history of Music and how it has changed over time.
• Use musical vocabulary to describe and evaluate music.
• Compose and perform using a variety of tuned and unturned instruments with confidence.
• Use technology to record and compose music.
• Listen to and appraise music from a variety of genres.
• To know of and appreciate a range of composers from across cultures and history to enrich their cultural capital.

IMPLEMENTATION

What does our Music Curriculum look like?

Please refer to:

• our Long Term Plan, which demonstrates the progression of knowledge and skills within the whole school music offer;
• our Medium Term Plan for each year group, which maps teaching and learning, knowledge and skills through a topic;
• our Non-core topic webs; which summarise the key knowledge and skills to be acquired and retained during a music unit.
• our Knowledge Organisers, which summarise the key knowledge and skills to be acquired and retained during a music unit.

IMPACT

Our music curriculum facilitates sequential learning and long-term progression of knowledge and skills.  Teaching and learning methods provide regular opportunities to recap acquired knowledge through high quality questioning, discussion, modelling and explaining to aid retrieval at the beginning and end of a lesson or unit.  This will enable all children to alter their long-term memory and know more, remember more and be able to do more as musicians.