Music
Intent
At Howick we aim to deliver a progressive and well-balanced curriculum, where our children are challenged as they move through school and are able to build on the skills that they learn in a creative way which builds resilience, confidence and independence. The National curriculum states that ‘Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity.’ Therefore, we aim to give our children the opportunity to engage with music in numerous ways, thus developing a love of music throughout school.
As pupils progress, we aim for them to develop their curious minds through a range of musical forms, allowing them to compose, listen and evaluate across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. Music is embedded in daily routines through singing in daily worship, weekly music lessons and also through enrichment days where we celebrate a diverse range of music from different religious celebrations such as Diwali and Chinese New Year which help children to develop a life-long love and appreciation of music and allows for them to learn in an exciting way.
We are committed to ensuring children understand the value and importance of music and our curriculum which is taught using resources and units of work from KAPOW along with enrichment activities from the Lancashire Music Service, this allows children to respect and appreciate music of all traditions and communities. Musical skills are developed through singing and playing tuned and untuned instruments, improvising and composing their own music and listening and responding to a wide range of musical forms. Children develop transferable skills such as team-working, leadership, creative thinking, problem solving, decision making and presentation and performance skills which can be used throughout school and in their lives beyond school
Implementation
Our music curriculum starts in the Early Years using song and repetition in all areas of learning and through the continuous provision that is provided. This then continues throughout school with singing in daily worship, performances throughout the year and weekly music lessons in each class. Music lessons are taught in line with the National curriculum following the musical school scheme KAPOW. The scheme supports teachers by providing lessons that are engaging and enrich learning.
With mixed age classes we follow a two-year rolling cycle, the scheme supports the children’s knowledge and understanding using a steady progressive plan, ensuring consistent musical development and enables the children to be actively involved in their learning. The curriculum allows for cross curricular learning where some of the music genres relate to other subjects such as the historical topics of the Vikings and WW2. This allows children to explore music enthusiastically and develop their imagination, thus developing a well-rounded understanding of topics taught within school.
Our curriculum combines a range of music styles and genres. Children have the time to listen, perform and compose their own music. Lessons allow children to develop their singing voices in a fluent and expressive way. They use body percussion, whole-body actions and learn how to handle and play tuned and untuned instruments effectively, with accuracy and control. Music specific vocabulary is learnt in a meaningful context and they understand the dimensions of music learning about pitch, duration, tempo, timbre, structure, texture and dynamics and can develop their ability to express ideas and feelings through the medium of sound.
Impact
Through using a progressive curriculum, we are able to develop the musical skills in a wide variety of musical forms. The children can enjoy music, in as many ways as they choose - either as a listener, a creator or a performer and we are able to share these achievements in class, through assemblies and also through school performances.
Children have opportunities to develop an appreciation for music, they can express themselves musically both in and out of school and beyond. Children discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. They understand how music is influenced by culture and socially and can identify their own musical preferences.
Teachers and pupils can assess their achievements against the learning objectives which are shared in each lesson. Ongoing assessments take place throughout the year. Teachers use this information to inform future lessons, ensuring pupils are supported and challenged appropriately. This data is analysed to inform and address any trends or gaps in attainment.
Learning is evidenced in a range of ways, including the use of ‘Seesaw’ which allows the children to celebrate their success and skills with their peers and wider audiences. We assess through teacher assessment along with using pictures and video evidence which captures each child’s progress throughout the year. Pupil voice allows children to have the opportunity to discuss and share their own thoughts, opinions and ideas.
Let's Go Sing
Class 4 have had a fantastic time taking part in the Let's Go Sing Project.
We have worked with specialist teachers to learn and perform a diverse collection of songs based on thought-provoking themes and topics. These songs were written in various musical styles such as pop, rock, musical theatre, ballad and even rap!
We then joined 400 other children to perform on stage in Blackburn - it was incredible!
This project not only promoted music education to the highest standard, it also met several aims of the National Curriculum for Music.
Chinese New Year
We welcomed an external provider to deliver a day of Chinese music making and dragon parades!
The musician started the day with an assembly to show all the school the instruments and demonstrate them. He then worked with all of the classes, creating music using the drums and fabulous dragon dancing.
