Music

Intent

The music curriculum has been designed to create a love of music within our school community. At Bowes, pupils gain a firm understanding of the subject through the exploration of a variety of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions.

All pupils are offered the opportunity to acquire and enhance singing, listening, composing and performing skills following the guidance of the Model Music Curriculum which are transferable across the curriculum. 

We strive to encourage an awareness and appreciation of music in all its forms. Our school provides pupils of all abilities opportunities to develop positive attitudes towards music, thus enabling them to further ignite their imagination. Pupils are given the opportunity to develop an understanding and acceptance of the validity and importance of all types of music and an unbiased respect for the role that music may wish to be expressed in any person's life. In addition to this, pupils have extended learning opportunities in various contexts. 

 

Implementation

Our music curriculum ensures that pupils are provided with opportunities to sing, listen, compose and perform. This is underpinned by the development of skills and knowledge that are built on year by year and by appropriately sequenced lessons to maximise learning for all pupils. 

Pupils take part in weekly music lessons, devised and planned using the 'Sing Up' scheme, as well as our singing assemblies and various concerts and performances. Lessons in EYFS and Key Stage 1 are taught by class teachers and by a specialist music teacher in Key Stage 2. 

Pupils are taught to have good vocal production using singing techniques that are developed over time, including correct posture, control over breathing and maintaining vocal health. To enhance pupils' creativity, composing is a key feature in each term. Pupils are provided with the tools (including tuned/untuned instruments and digital software) and skills to contribute to musical culture which are developed throughout the years.

All pupils develop a cultural capital through our inclusive approach. We expose pupils to a wide repertoire of musical pieces from a diverse list of cultures, traditions and time periods. A variety of genres are listened to across the school to enable pupils to formulate musical opinions.

We are keen to celebrate learning to increase the confidence of our pupils - a key trait needed in the wider world. Pupils build on their collaborative abilities, resilience and showmanship by sharing their experiences of music inside and outside of the classroom.  

 

Impact

Whilst in school, pupils have access to a diverse programme which allows them to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve on. During their time at Bowes, they will have created an enormously rich palette from which they may access fundamental abilities, such as: achievement, self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others, and self-reflection. Pupils will have a developed cultural capital, as well as knowledge of ethnicities from across the world. They will be able to appreciate music as listeners, creators and performers. 

The impact of this music curriculum will lead to good progress over time across key stages and will kindle an interest or aptitude in music; our music class books will reflect this. High expectations set will enable our pupils to leave Bowes reaching at least age-related expectations with an increased enthusiasm and appreciation for the subject.  

During and/after lessons, pupils are assessed through informal assessment techniques: questioning, conferencing, reviewing work against learning objective/success criteria, short retrieval activities. At the end of units, pupils are assessed using high quality conversations and class-based tasks. 

 

Beyond the Curriculum

All pupils at Bowes have the opportunity to experience music outside of the classroom and in a plethora of contexts: 

• Every child has the opportunity to learn to play the Steel Pans in Year 4. 
• Every child in Year 1 and Year 5 will take part in local music partnership festivals collaborating with other schools. 
• Pupils have the opportunity to be part of a choir in KS1 and KS2 led by our music lead and specialist music teacher. 
• Our peripatetic teachers who come into school to teach instrumental lessons provide opportunities for pupils to learn and develop their skills from an experienced specialist teacher. 
• Performances by performers and visitors to the school. 
• Regular music singing with local schools virtually. 
• Taking part in the annual Young Voices Concert. 
• Winter and Summer showcases to parents and the local community.
• Year group performances, e.g. EYFS Festive Singing, Year 2 Concert and Year 6 End of Year Production.
• Access to tuned and untuned instruments and digital composing software. 
• Singing and listening embedded in other areas of the curriculum.  

 

Please find available for download the Music Primary National Curriculum.