Music has a power of forming the character and should therefore be introduced into the education of the young.’ (Aristotle)

A full and comprehensive musical curriculum is highly beneficial to all pupils. The school music curriculum will provide all pupils with opportunities for singing and playing simple melodic instruments, tuned and un-tuned percussion; exploring sounds; and active and passive listening. Music can make a powerful contribution to the education and development of children, having benefits which range from those that are largely academic to the growth of social skills and contribution to overall development. Music is a unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act, developing their self-esteem, and maximising their progress in education and not just in music. Music outside of the classroom, such as assemblies and clubs, are an essential part of a vibrant and effective musical life of a school.

Intent:

At St Pancras, children gain a secure understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. We are committed to ensuring children understand the value and importance of music to their own and others’ lives and wellbeing and also the impact music has in the wider community. We are committed to developing a curiosity for the subject, as well as 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. We aim to provide children with the opportunity to progress to the next level of their creative excellence.

Implementation:

The music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the classroom activities as well as our weekly Songs and Praise collective worship, various concerts and performances and the learning of instruments. Through the musical program Charanga, teachers are able to produce inclusive lessons for all children to access the musical curriculum in a fun and engaging way, further promoting a love of learning. Teachers deliver music following the Charanga programme, designed specifically for the teaching of music in primary schools. Charanga lessons are planned in sequences to provide children with the opportunities to review, remember, deepen and apply their understanding. The elements of music are taught in 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.  Children learn to play glockenspiels in the classroom as well as a variety of percussion instruments. 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. 

Children throughout the school sing in assemblies and during collective worship times. We have a singing practice once a week and children in years 3 to 6 are given the opportunity to join the choir. Singing plays a prominent part in all school productions at Christmas, Easter and at the End of the School year.

 

Impact:

Music enables children to develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to joy 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. Children have the opportunity to discuss and share their own thoughts, opinions and ideas, acknowledging and respecting that these may vary and that this is positive. They can dissect music and comprehend its parts.

At St Pancras school children are provided with opportunities beyond the National Curriculum to further and support their understanding. These include having visitors with a musical talent, visiting concerts and school productions. External interests and talents are also encouraged and showcased in class and assembly, ensuring that everyone is challenged regardless of previous musical experience. Children have an understanding of how to further develop skills less known to them, should they ever develop an interest in their lives

How the Scheme is structured

Each Unit of Work comprises of strands of musical learning which correspond with the national curriculum for music:

Listening and Appraising

Musical Activities

Warm-up Games

Optional Flexible Games

Singing

Playing instruments

Improvisation

Composition

Performing

Curriculum overview of Music at St Pancras

	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
Rainbows EYFS	Me!	My Stories	Everyone	Our World	Big Bear Funk	Reflect, rewind and replay
Year 1	Hey You!	Rhythm in the Way we Walk and Banana Rap	In the Groove	Round and Round	Your Imagination	Reflect, rewind and replay
Year 2	Hands, Feet, Heart	Ho, ho, ho	I wanna play in a band	Zootime	Friendship Song	Reflect, rewind and replay
Year 3	Let your Spirit Fly	Glockenspiel Stage 1	Three Little Birds	The Dragon Song	Bringing us Together	Reflect, rewind and replay
Year 4	Mamma Mia	Glockenspiel Stage 2	Stop!	Lean On Me	Blackbird	Reflect, rewind and replay
Year 5	Livin’ On A Prayer	Classroom Jazz 1	Make You Feel My Love	The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air	Dancing In the Street	Reflect, rewind and replay
Year 6	Happy	Classroom Jazz 2	A New Year Carol	You’ve Got a Friend	Music and Me	Reflect, rewind and replay

 

See https://charanga.com/site/musical-school/ for more information on our Music curriculum.