Music

A specialist teacher teaches music alongside the class teacher for one term in Y3, 4 and 5 using a cross curricular approach.  The specialist teacher also supports the annual performances that each year group takes part in (Christmas, Easter and Summer).  We have ensured we have whole class sets of glockenspiels and tin whistles so the every child has the opportunity to learn a tuned instrument. Peripatetic music teachers give the opportunity for children to take up drums, guitar, woodwind and brass instruments giving performances to the whole school.  The older children also sing in the wider community such as the local hospital. 

Charanga is a scheme of work which offers a topic-based approach to support children’s learning in music. A steady progression plan has been built into Charanga, both within each year and from one year to the next, ensuring consistent musical development. By using Charanga as the basis of a scheme of work, we can ensure that they are fulfilling the aims for musical learning stated in the National Curriculum:  Charanga includes many examples of music styles and genres from different times and places. These are explored through the language of music via active listening, performing and composing activities, which enable understanding of the context and genre. Charanga provides a classroom-based, participatory and inclusive approach to music learning. Throughout the scheme, children are actively involved in using and developing their singing voices, using body percussion and whole body actions, and learning to handle and play classroom instruments effectively to create and express their own and others’ music. Through a range of whole class, group and individual activities, children have opportunities to explore sounds, listen actively, compose and perform.

As music is a practical subject, assessment may be done by focussing on a small group at a time on certain tasks or skills, observing the children, discussing their work or self/group/teacher evaluation against criteria from the National Curriculum programmes of study and end of year expectations. The progression grid provided by the subject leader ensures children are accessing work at age related expectations. Children are assessed according to age related expectations in line with curriculum requirements. This is done in line with the school assessment calendar. This information is recorded and monitored by the co-ordinator.