Intent

The National Curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music

• Be taught to sing, create and compose music

• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated.

At Earlham we believe that music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity that sparks pleasure, joy and self-expression. For many of our students, school will be the only place where they can freely access and enjoy music, so our intent is that they will develop a love and passion for listening to, composing, and performing music whilst here at Earlham. We also intend for them to be exposed to a variety of high quality music excerpts, compositions, songs, and performances.

Our intent is that they will build their cultural capital through music which will allow them to be more informed global citizens. Music has impacts beyond the academic lives of students, and it is our intent that pupils will develop an understanding of the history of music and its impact on the world. Through our music provision, students will also develop an understanding of the impact music can have on wellbeing, and it is our intent that they will be able to identify music that supports how they feel, and boosts their positivity when they need it. Throughout their time at Earlham, students have the opportunity to make and perform music for real life contexts, for example, our Christmas Production. Our music curriculum allows individuals and groups the opportunity to develop their listening appreciation, practical composition and performance skills, and build characteristics like resilience, teamwork and creativity.

Implementation

For a high portion of our students, school will be the only place where they can freely access and enjoy music, so in addition to our weekly music lessons we promote a natural integration of music in everyday school life, through class ‘working music’ and ‘meditation music’ playlists, and playground music.

As part of our core music curriculum high quality lessons are delivered in partnership with Newham Music. Newham Music delivers expert led weekly videos that ensure our pupils have the general knowledge and skills required to flourish in music activities. We deliver lessons that cover a range of genres, time periods, composers and musicians. Students make meaningful links between their musician/genre of the half term and their topic of learning. Choral singing is enjoyed and celebrated in weekly assemblies for all students, and in class music lessons. Year 5 and 6 have weekly instrument lessons - currently they are learning to play the ukulele.

Aspects of music are embedded within the provision of SEND learning to ensure that all children have access to a broad and balanced curriculum. Children with high levels of need have a specialised offer, linking into National Curriculum themes, but with scaffolded learning which meets their needs, ensuring they are also making good progress from their initial starting points.

Our staff have effective CPD opportunities to ensure high levels of confidence and knowledge are maintained. Teachers follow a clear progression of skills which ensures all pupils are challenged in line with their year group expectations and are given the opportunity to build on their prior knowledge.

Impact

At Earlham Primary we understand the importance of a music education in developing creativity, confidence, resilience and teamwork. We work hard to ensure our music provision will enrich the lives of our pupils beyond their time at Earlham. Whilst at Earlham the impact of our music curriculum ensures that;

At the end of EYFS students are confident singers who know a range of nursery rhymes and songs. They enjoy performing to their peers, families, and wider audiences. Students also enjoy using a range of percussion instruments to create their own musical compositions.

At the end of KS1 students are confident performers who can use their voices, bodies, and instruments to showcase a range of musical pieces. They understand the inter-related dimensions of music and use them to create interesting pieces of music that they perform to their peers, families, and wider audiences. Students can listen and appreciate a range of high quality music and are beginning to develop an understanding of the history of music.

At the end of KS2 students are confident performers who play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts. By the end of Year 6 students will have experienced professionally delivered Ukulele lessons, and will have had starring roles in our Christmas productions. Students will know the inter-related dimensions of music and be able to use them to improvise and compose pieces of music. Our pupils will have listened to and appraised a broad range of musical pieces from great composers and musicians. They will have an understanding of the history and the importance of music over time.

We measure the impact of our music learning through the collection of video evidence, pupil interviews and observations, and instructional coaching with our teaching staff.

The Earlham Choir

"If I cannot fly, then let me sing" Stephen Sondheim 

In choir, we let our voices go free! We are exploring how to look after our voices, learning our vocal ranges, and enjoying singing songs from different genres and artists. As the year goes on, we will be putting our learning into practice and performing at different events.