Curriculum Statement: Music
‘Excellence, Truth and Grace’
‘Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.’
Philippians 4: 8-9
Curriculum Intent
Music should be an enjoyable experience for pupils and teachers. Children participate in a range of musical experiences, building up their confidence with and appreciation of music. They develop their understanding of rhythm and pitch and learn how music is structured, as well as learning technical vocabulary for these elements. As children’s confidence builds, they enjoy the performance aspect of music. Children experience listening to music from different cultures and eras. We aim to ensure that all children are given high quality musical opportunities that build on our school’s Christian foundation, the children’s past experiences and the cultures of the community that surrounds our school. We aim to increase the cultural capital for all of our pupils regardless of previous exposure within music.
Middleton Parish Church School’s children will be:
- Ready to Learn: Children will build on ideas by being active, creative and open to developing their own musicality.
- Respectful: Children will understand that there are different genres of music and they will respect other people’s tastes and expressions of musical identity.
- Reflective: Children will listen attentively and then spend time reflecting on how music influences their emotions. Children will be encouraged to share their opinions and use their reflections to create their own music styles.
- Aspirational: Children will be inspired, through a climate of high expectation, excellence and challenge to fulfil their true potential, both at Middleton Parish Church School and in their life ahead and be music makers of the future.
Curriculum Implementation
Music is taught as a discrete subject but also through links across the curriculum. Areas of learning, such as times tables in maths, vocabulary in languages and movement in dance can all incorporate different elements of music. Singing in collective worship allows the children opportunities to develop their singing skills and gain an understanding of how ensembles work. Performances, such as Christmas plays and nativities and end of year shows, demonstrate that music is important to the life of the school.
Middleton Parish Church School’s children will be:
- Ready to Learn: Children will be taught to listen attentively to genres of music and to each other’s musical presentations. They will handle music equipment with care in order to keep it in good working order.
- Respectful: Children will be taught that there are different genres of music and taught to respect other people’s tastes and expressions of musical identity.
- Reflective: Children will be taught how to reflect on different musical influences. Children will be taught to share their opinions and use their reflections to create their own music styles.
- Aspirational: Children will be identified by the class teacher and encouraged to develop musical talents beyond the classroom. Furthermore children will be encouraged to share further learning in this subject through extra-curricular experiences.
Curriculum Impact
The impact of teaching music will be seen across the school with an increase in the profile of music. Whole-school and parental engagement will be improved through performances, extracurricular activities and opportunities suggested in lessons/overviews for wider learning. Participation in music develops wellbeing, promotes listening and develops concentration. We want to ensure that music is loved by teachers and pupils across school, encouraging them to want to continue building on this wealth of musical ability, now and in the future.
Middleton Parish Church School’s children will be:
- Ready to Learn: Children will actively participate in musical areas of the curriculum with subject specific knowledge and enthusiasm.
- Respectful: Children will show respect to each other’s musical journey and to the music and musical influences of other cultures.
- Reflective: Children will positively reflect on different musical influences sharing their opinions on their own work and that of others.
- Aspirational: Children will be positively seek further musical opportunities and experiences and use music to enhance their learning in other curriculum areas.
