Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart

(Ephesians 5:18-19)

"A school without music is like a body without a soul."

(St. John Bosco)

The role of music in worship is biblical.

At St Mary's we believe that music that honors God will cause our hearts to sing. And when our hearts sing, worship happens.

The school's Kapow curriculum is cross curricular and encourages creativity. Children are given opportunities to sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate a range of musical styles.

We hold weekly singing assemblies, various concerts and performances, musical clubs and teaching from specialist teachers is available.

Each year group in Key stage 2 will have the opportunity to play an instrument.

Class 3 - Ocarina

Class 4 - Recorder

Class 5 - Ukulele

Class 6 - Glockenspiel

Statement of Intent

The National Curriculum states that all children should receive a high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.

Implementation

The music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the Kapow Curriculum as well as the weekly singing assemblies, various concerts and performances, musical clubs and teaching from specialist music teachers. 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 analysed. In the classroom children learn key aspects of music through cross-curricular links. They also 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.

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. The integral nature of music and the learner creates an enormously rich palette from which a child may access fundamental abilities such as: achievement, self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others, and self-reflection. Music will also develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to children individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world. 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. It will be evident over time that the progress, knowledge and skills of pupils will increase between EYFS and Year 6. Impact will be assessed through a multi-faceted approach including performances, informal observations in lessons, opportunities through practical music-making, listening to children talking and playing, and watching children respond. These should show development of musical skills, particularly singing, and improvement in social skills such as cooperation and team-work. Pupil voice is also important in the review of provision for music.