Music

Intent

At St Philip’s, our Music curriculum is designed to inspire and cultivate a lifelong love of music in our pupils, while promoting their emotional and social development. We aim to provide all children with a high-quality music education that engages, inspires, and challenges them. Our intent is to:

·         Develop Musical Skills: Ensure pupils acquire knowledge and skills in music, including singing, playing instruments, and understanding music theory and notation.

·         Promote Creativity: Encourage creativity and self-expression through composing, improvising, and listening to a variety of musical genres.

·         Cultural Understanding: Expose children to diverse musical traditions, encompassing various cultures, genres, and historical contexts to foster an appreciation of global music.

·         Enrich Personal Development: Support children’s personal growth and confidence through performance opportunities, fostering teamwork and resilience.

·         Instil a Love for Music: Inspire a passion for music that extends beyond the classroom, promoting enjoyment and participation in music-related activities within the school and the community.

Implementation

Our Music curriculum is delivered through a carefully structured approach that ensures progression and accessibility for all pupils. Key components of our implementation include:

·         Curriculum Design: Our Music curriculum is designed using the National Curriculum framework and incorporates a variety of music genres, historical contexts, and cultural influences. Each unit is themed to ensure relevance and engagement, building upon prior learning.

·         Sequenced Learning: We implement a well-structured long-term plan that details clear learning objectives and progression across year groups. This ensures that skills are developed systematically, allowing pupils to build on their musical knowledge year on year.

·         Active Participation: Lessons are interactive and involve a variety of teaching methods, including vocal exercises, instrumental practice, music technology, and listening activities. This caters to different learning styles and keeps pupils engaged.

·         Performance Opportunities: Pupils are encouraged to participate in concerts, assemblies, and community events, celebrating their achievements and building confidence in public performance. We also host workshops with visiting musicians and local ensembles to enrich the learning experience.

·         Assessment and Feedback: Assessment is ongoing and focuses on both formative and summative methods to track progress. We provide regular feedback to pupils and adapt teaching strategies accordingly, ensuring all children, including those with additional needs, can achieve their potential.

Impact

The impact of our Music curriculum is evident in the progress and enthusiasm of our pupils. We measure this impact through the following means:

·         Skill Development: Pupils demonstrate a clear progression in musical skills and knowledge, effectively transcending year groups. This is evidenced by their ability to perform, compose, and appreciate music from different contexts.

·         Engagement and Enjoyment: Pupil feedback surveys indicate a high level of enjoyment and engagement in Music lessons. Many pupils express a desire to pursue music further outside school, enrolling in various musical extracurricular activities or lessons.

·         Cultural Awareness: Through exposure to diverse musical traditions, pupils articulate their understanding of different cultures, demonstrating respect and appreciation for global music.

·         Social Skills and Confidence: Performance opportunities foster teamwork and resilience. We see pupils developing confidence not only in their musical abilities but in their overall self-esteem and social interaction skills.

·         Community Participation: Our school is actively involved in the local community, sharing music through performances and collaborations, thus reinforcing the importance of music in social cohesion and cultural enrichment.

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In summary, the Music curriculum at St Philip’s embodies our commitment to holistic education, encouraging our pupils to thrive musically, socially, and culturally. We continuously reflect on and improve our practices to sustain and enhance our outstanding provision in music education.

Enrichment

St Philip's offers a diverse range of enrichment opportunities in music that significantly enhance the cultural and creative experiences of our pupils. Central to our programme is the weekly choir, where pupils of all ages come together to develop their vocal skills and foster a sense of community through music. Each year, pupils showcase their talents in significant seasonal productions, including the much-anticipated Easter and summer performances that involve both acting and singing, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of the performing arts. Additionally, the traditional nativity play provides younger pupils with a charming introduction to stage performance, while our singing assembly fosters an inclusive atmosphere for all pupils to participate in musical activities. The music and mince pie event, held for parents, further strengthens the connection between home and school, providing a delightful opportunity for families to engage with the school's musical endeavours. Through these activities, St Philip's nurtures a lifelong appreciation of music in its pupils.