Throckley Primary School
Intent, Implementation & Impact
Music Intent
“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”
(Model Music Curriculum)
At Throckley Primary School, we aim to inspire creativity, self-expression and to encourage a lifelong love of music. Our music curriculum reflects this in its approach to teaching and learning, as well as providing our children with various performance opportunities and exposing them to a variety of diverse musical experiences. As a school, we are ambitious in our approach to teaching music by allowing children to listen and respond to a variety of different musical styles. Our aim is to inspire and challenge all pupils and provide them with the knowledge and skills to develop a passion for music. We encourage our children to find their voices as singers, performers and composers, enabling them to become confident, reflective musicians.
Our Music curriculum is designed to encompass our school values and the drivers that support our learning;
Understanding our place in the world
Music has a unique ability to bring people together. Our children at Throckley Primary School are encouraged to connect with their own music culture and local heritage, whilst also understanding the importance of music nationally and internationally. Children will learn about local musicians and experience live performances in their local area. There will also be performance opportunities throughout the school year where children can share their musical talents with the wider community.
Aspiring to achieve
Children are inspired to achieve by learning about significant individuals in music. It is important for our children to understand the significance of the creative arts locally and further afield. They understand that the skills and knowledge that they acquire through our music curriculum can lead to successful careers in the creative arts. They will also know how music and performance reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture and creativity in the wider world.
Broadening horizons
We believe that every child can be successful and that their musical abilities can have a meaningful impact. Music gives children the opportunity to explore their creativity and express themselves. During their learning, children will explore music through time, and across the globe. They will also learn about music that is special to the North East of England, and its belonging and influence in the world of music.
Implementation
The music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded through our bespoke music curriculum, as well as through singing assemblies, various performances throughout the school year, musical clubs and teaching from specialist music teachers.
Children will be taught subject specific vocabulary that will empower them to confidently talk about their learning and their musical compositions. Rich vocabulary is planned within the curriculum to help children to articulate the creative process. Therefore the children are able to use a broad range of music language to dissect pieces of music, and understand how it has been created, played, appreciated and analysed.
The children learn key aspects of music through cross-curricular links. They also learn how to compose, focusing 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.
We build on previous knowledge and skills acquired during the Early Years Foundation Stage. The expressive arts and design aspect in the Early Years framework is developed to give learners the best possible start in music whilst working towards a good level of development.
What will I see if I visit a music lesson in Throckley Primary School?
Creative, dynamic and passionate teaching: Children will be provided with the knowledge and skills required to successfully achieve expected outcomes in music. They will be encouraged to experiment and express themselves, supported by specialist teachers to facilitate the creative process. At Throckley Primary School we are passionate about our inclusive approach to the arts and each music lesson has been carefully designed to engage, support and challenge all of our children.
Links to music history and local, national and international performers: Key information is provided to the children about influential music and musicians throughout our history. Children will also learn about local musicians from the North East, as well as further afield.
Skilful teacher questioning: Questioning is strategically planning into the curriculum to support talk with children about their learning. These responses are used to inform the assessment process and reflect the children’s understanding of their learning.
Spaced retrieval of key learning: A variety of teaching techniques have been developed to support children in the recall, and retention of key knowledge. Our music curriculum is designed to build on children’s prior knowledge and skills, building towards a mastery approach in all elements of music.
Beautiful Work: At Throckley Primary, we provide our children with a range of opportunities to present their beautiful work. This includes giving the children various performance opportunities, to showcase and celebrate their musical talents.
Pupil voice: As part of our music lessons, the children are encouraged and supported to explore their own personal opinions, as well as the key characteristics, of the music we are studying. It is important that the children feel empowered to express and elaborate on their thoughts and feelings when it comes to musical preference.
Rich experiences: We offer our children at Throckley Primary school with a range of enriching experiences. This includes providing learning experiences that can showcase the creativity of our children and highlight their music knowledge and skills. Children are also encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities that will complement their music education.
Impact
The impact of the music curriculum on the learning of our children will be measured using formative and summative assessment throughout the year by specialist teachers. Tardis will assess children’s progress in skills and knowledge, and how they work towards meeting the statements provided in the national curriculum. Children use expected outcome statements through their individual music passports, at key assessment points, to reflect on their learning and to measure progress within Music.
During their school lives, children will have access to a varied programme of music, which will allow them to discover and develop areas of strength as well as areas they wish to improve. Our children will inherit a rich and diverse musical palette that in turn will allow them to experience achievement, self-confidence, awareness of self and others, and selfreflection. Their musical experiences in school will ensure they have a broad and deep understanding of culture and history, both locally, nationally and internationally. Our hope is that children will develop a passion for music – as a listener, creator and performer. Children will be able to talk passionately about their musical knowledge, preferences, abilities, and about significant figures in music history. They will be aware of prospective careers and avenues accessible to them in the future.