At Parklands Community Primary School we are musicians!

Intent

At Parklands Community Primary School we are musicians! We make music as creative and exciting as possible, with an emphasis on first hand practical experiences. All pupils are given the opportunity to experience playing a tuned instrument and sing a variety of songs to support their learning.

At Parklands School, music is about enabling our pupils to develop a lifelong love of music. Through working in small groups and ensembles, pupils will develop skills in co-operation, self-confidence and commitment.

Through the teaching of music, pupils develop an appreciation of a range of musical styles. They explore musical timbres, rhythms and instrumentation. They have opportunities to create, perform and evaluate their own, or group, compositions. Pupils are also encouraged to use improvisation as a form of musical expression.

Music plays an important role in helping pupils to feel part of a community. We organise and collaborate in projects to enable pupils to share their musical skills at different events, both inside and outside of school.

Implementation

The music curriculum ensures all children have the opportunity to sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the classroom through the structured music scheme 'Sing Up' as well as the weekly music assemblies, performances, musical clubs and teaching from specialist music teachers. We have ensured that the curriculum that we deliver supports the Non-Statutory Model Music Curriculum (2021).

Music is taught so that children are able to use some of the technical language of music to understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed. Children learn key aspects of music through cross-curricular links such as mathematical songs. They also learn how to compose, focusing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music. At Parklands, composing, improvising and performing using voice or instruments forms part of the music curriculum. We have strong links with the wider community e.g. care homes, Rotary club, University of Chichester and West Sussex Music.

Impact

• Children will be exposed to a wide variety of music genres
• Children will be able to evaluate and reflect upon their own and others’ musical ideas
• A belief that music is for all, including children with SEND
• Children feel safe to share their musical talents with confidence
• Children leave the school with a fundamental musical knowledge and an appreciation of music