Music at Alverstoke Infant school
Music Vision statement:
“Alverstoke musicians should have an enjoyment and curiosity for the subject. They enjoy performing and playing as well as listening and appreciating music. They want to learn more about instruments and making their own music for enjoyment.”
Our Curriculum Intent
At Alverstoke Infant school, we aim to make music an enjoyable experience for all. We are committed to developing a curiosity for the subject, as well as ensuring children understand the value and importance of music encouraging all children to participate in a variety of musical experiences, through which we aim to build up their love of music, self- confidence and sense of achievement. We want children to be able to use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to enjoy the subject. Our teaching focuses on developing the children’s ability to sing in tune and with other people and use basic instruments with increasing control, fluency and expression and listen critically to a wide range of music from different periods, genres, styles and traditions to explore how music is created. Through singing songs and playing instruments, children learn about the structure and organisation of music. We teach children to listen, appreciate and respect different forms of music taking account of music from different countries. As children progress through the school they will increasingly understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated through the interrelated dimensions of music: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and musical notation.
We believe that music is an inclusive subject where all learners have the same equal access.
Implementation
Our priority for music is to teach and perfect the skills implemented by the National Curriculum for Music. We have a varied music scheme of work and we use Charanga (an online resource) to support our music teaching as it is a very clear and comprehensive scheme of work which covers all the national curriculum requirements in a full and progressive way. Units consist of both songs and instrumental works. Instrumental learning (playing the glockenspiel and recorder) is taught explicitly and progressively using the Charanga units of work. Each year group completes at least 3 units of work per school year. We also supplement this with Hampshire Music schemes of work for particular topic links.
Across the school we choose pieces of music from the Charanga listening centre and the Model Music Curriculum suggested song list to encourage active listening to music from different genres and eras. The listening centre also provides music which is selected for use in a variety of lessons and activities to create, mood, atmosphere and to aid concentration. The music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the classroom lessons as well as in assemblies and various concerts and performances throughout the year. The elements of music are taught in the classroom lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to dissect it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and evaluated. In the classroom lessons children learn how to play an instrument including drums and glockenspiels. They learn how to compose, focusing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music. Composing or performing using body percussion and vocal sounds is also part of the curriculum, which develops the understanding of musical elements without the added complexity of an instrument.
It is important that the expectations for children with SEND are as high as they are for all, around what they can achieve. If children have a special educational need where adapted teaching is needed the music coordinator will work with teachers to enable them to deliver lessons that are inclusive for all. These adaptations may include having to build in pre learning or over learning of a particular skill, ensuring that children have appropriate resources and space to work or using alternative instruments. Through the use of the Charanga scheme this supports children with SEND by maintaining the same steps in lessons that are predictable and engaging. It also supports focus and can be adapted by being on an iPad for 1:1 work if needed.
Every year, KS1 pupils can join a choir where they have opportunities to perform to audiences at events in school and visiting local places in the community. The children in the choir also have the opportunity to sing at the Guildhall in Portsmouth with a choir of around infant 100 school aged pupils. Singing plays a prominent part in all school productions at Christmas, Easter and during the School year.
Impact
Whilst in school, children have access to a varied programme, which allows them to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon in music. Through varied musical experiences children will develop an enjoyment for the subject and will also develop an understanding of the subject. Children are able to enjoy music in as many ways as they choose – either as listener, creator or performer. They can dissect music and comprehend its parts. They can sing and feel a pulse. They have an understanding of how to further develop skills less known to them, should they ever develop an interest in their lives.
Children will retain knowledge that is pertinent to music and will have the opportunity to foster their instrumental flare and use this as a form of expression. Children will participate in wider musical activities, where they will gain wider audience performance experience. Opportunities for improved well -being and confidence will be increased.
Please see below photos of the music curriculum in action within our school:
The pupils enjoying the music theme week
Please refer to the following documents for further information about the music curriculum in the school:
Knowledge and skills progression Music following Charanga scheme