Intent- Why do we teach Music?

The National Curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:
• Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music
• Be taught to sing, create and compose music
• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated.

At North Denes Primary School, our aim is to ensure children gain a good understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing and composing across a variety of styles, traditions and musical genres. Our objective at North Denes is to inspire and encourage children to develop a curiosity for the subject, as well as understand and respect how the role of different styles of music can be significant to individuals. We are committed to ensuring children understand the value and importance of music and are able to use their musical skills, knowledge and experiences to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts. 

Implementation- What do we teach? What does this look like?

At North Denes Primary School, Music is taught in each year group in accordance with the National Curriculum. The music curriculum ensures students sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the classroom activities, as well as the weekly singing assemblies and various performances. 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 students learn how to play an instrument. This enables children to understand the different principle of each method of creating notes, as well as how to read basic music notation. They also learn how to compose focussing 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 –  What will this look like?

The impact of the music curriculum at North Denes Primary school is assessed through;

• Discussions with children
• Discussions with teachers
• Assessment grids completed by teachers at the end of each unit of work which assesses children’s knowledge and understanding of music throughout the year
• Monitoring planning
• Attending relevant CPD
• Annual action plans identifying a clear vision and actions for each academic year
• A Governor’s report each year, reviewing attainment in music and identifying strengths, areas for development and planned next steps.