Music

INTENT

Music has a prominent place in the curriculum. All children are exposed to a variety of different experiences in their classes, on the playground and as a whole school.  Singing and listening to music is part of every child’s day. As a Catholic school we celebrate through singing hymns and listening to a range of music forming prayer focus and forming a regular part of class Liturgy, Collective Worship and Assemblies.

School productions feature regularly in school life from the traditional Nativity, Pantomimes to unconventional and unique class productions. These are enjoyed by children, staff and parents contributing to a love and passion for music that is embedded in our school ethos. Whilst audiences have been limited during COVID, outdoor events and recorded productions have continued to enable pupils to share these experiences with the school community.

IMPLEMENTATION

Regular discrete music lessons taught by a music specialist to give sustained experiences that are essential to good musical progress. Lessons are prepared musically and a love of music permeates through the school. The Model Music curriculum produced by the Dfe states that there are four aspects to the Music Curriculum all of these singing, listening, composing and performing underpin the Music curriculum at St Mary’s.

“The power of Music is all around us. It is the soundtrack to our lives. Music connects us through people and places in our ever-changing world. It is creative, collaborative, celebratory and challenging.  Music can bring communities together through the shared endeavour of whole-school singing, ensemble playing, experimenting with the creative process and, through the love of listening to friends and fellow pupils, performing. The sheer joy of music making can feed the soul of a school community, enriching each student while strengthening the shared bonds of support and trust which make a great school.”  The Model Music Curriculum Dfe 2021

Music is also taught across the curriculum to support a variety of areas of learning such as languages and times tables.  Children in Key Stage 2 can join the choir and participate in events such as singing at the Hertfordshire Gala at the Royal Albert Hall. Children have sung for residents in care homes and for parents at Christmas Fayres and local events in the community.

Children have opportunities to learn musical instruments individually from Key Stage 1 and all Year 3 pupils take part in the “Wider Opportunities” scheme from Herts LA and learn the tenor horn for the year with an opportunity to continue individual or group tuition throughout Key Stage 2.

St Mary’s believes that all children should have equal access to music tuition and that we have a responsibility to provide this for all of our pupils.

IMPACT

Music develops well-being, increases confidence and concentration. This impacts on the love and profile of the subject but essentially raises standards and improves outcomes for all children.

“Life without music, would be a mistake” - Friedrich Nietzsche