Intent

At Woolton Primary, we are musicians!  We believe that music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity.  Through our music curriculum, we aim to foster a lifelong love of music by exposing our children to diverse musical experiences and igniting a passion for music.  By listening and responding to different musical styles, finding their voices as singers, performers and as composers, all will enable them to become confident, reflective musicians.

“Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity” (The National Curriculum)

We are committed to developing a curiosity for music, 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 are committed to ensuring children understand the value and importance of music in the wider community and are able to use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves in music in a variety of different contexts. We want our children to use the vibrancy of our great city to learn from other cultures, respect diversity, co-operate with one another and appreciate what they have. We achieve this by providing a strong SMSC curriculum, with British Values and our core values placed at the heart of everything we do. This often feeds into the music curriculum.  We enrich their time in our school with memorable, unforgettable experiences and provide opportunities, which are normally out of reach – this piques their interests and passions.   We firmly believe that it is not just about what happens in the classroom, it is about the added value we offer to inspire our children.

Implementation

Our music curriculum ensures that children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate.  The foundations for this are weekly music lessons in the classroom using the Kapow programme and other resources.  Through this, teachers are able to produce inclusive lessons for all children to access the music curriculum in a fun and engaging way, further promoting a love of learning. This is then built on through weekly singing assemblies, various concerts and performances, choir, and instrumental teaching from specialist music teachers (Year 3 and 4 whole class instrumental lessons).  Year 3 children also have the opportunity to learn Ukulele.

Class teachers are supported to do this through training and regular subject leader briefings. 

The Inter-related dimensions of music are taught so that children are able to use the language of music to dissect it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed.  Children also learn key aspects of music, and how to compose and perform focusing on the different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing or analysing music. Through this, our children have a wide repertoire, which they use to compose and perform music.  This is under pinned by a very good awareness and appreciation of different musical traditions and genres, the ability to give precise written and verbal explanations using musical terminology effectively, accurately and appropriately and finally, a passion for and a commitment to music.

Impact

“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination…”-Plato

Children’s musical journeys at Woolton Primary foster a love and increasing enthusiasm for the subject and a potential for life-long musical study. Children develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to children individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world. Children are able to enjoy music in as many ways as they choose – as either listener, creator or performer and are given opportunities to review, remember, deepen and apply their understanding. 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. They can sing and feel a pulse.