...a haven of hope and aspiration...

Music Lead: Miss Smith

At Archbishop Courtenay Primary School, our music curriculum inspires creativity, self-expression and encourages our children on their musical journeys as well as giving them opportunities to connect with others. We develop and foster a lifelong love of music by exposing children to diverse musical experiences and igniting a passion for music. By listening and responding to different musical styles, finding their voices as singers and performers and as composers, all will enable them to become confident, reflective musicians

British Values

At Archbishop Courtenay Primary School we understand our responsibility in preparing children for their next stage of education and for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life, laying the foundations so that they can take their place successfully in modern British society. We promote a respect for and understanding of different faiths, cultures and lifestyles. The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of each child is central to everything that we do as a school and central to our vision of “Respect, compassion, aspiration, resilience and friendship”. This is evidenced through our teaching and learning, our inclusive environment and through the many opportunities provided for our children to understand democracy, law, liberty, mutual respect and tolerance.

Planning

In addition to our weekly music curriculum, all children take part in singing assembly. We make music an enjoyable learning experience and encourage children to participate in a variety of musical activities. We provide opportunities for all children to sing and to listen to and appreciate different styles and genres of music. We teach them the skills of recognising and commenting on pulse, pitch, rhythm, timbre, dynamics and texture in music. At Archbishop Courtenay, we are enhancing our provision to provide opportunities for children to work closely with others to make music and show how individuals compose and organise music. We also begin to teach children the features of musical notation and develop an understanding of the history of music.

Assessment

In class, the teachers themselves monitor the progress of individual children and differentiate lessons to suit the needs of different abilities. Termly assessments are used to monitor progression within each class. Lessons are observed in each key stage and planning is monitored on a termly basis. Children who are particularly talented in Music have the opportunity to join our school choir and have the opportunity to be involved in events within the local community.

Collective Evidence

At Archbishop Courtenay Primary School, we believe that all pupils should have the opportunities to share their pupil voice. We do this in a number of ways. The curriculum allows opportunities for pupils to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding when using their pupil voice. The subject leader finds out pupil’s opinions about the teaching of music and the content covered through interviewing selected pupils during lesson observations. The subject leader acts upon the comments and suggestions of pupils wherever possible.

Enrichment Opportunities

Music is very important to the children and staff at Archbishop Courtenay.

We have lots of fun in our music lessons and have many opportunities to improve our own voices with lots of singing. In addition to this we will providing opportunities to learn a range of instruments through specialist teachers from the Kent School of Music.

Our wonderful choir, meet weekly to learn a range of exciting songs. Throughout the year they have opportunities to perform to a variety of different audiences.

Targets 

• To enhance and provide opportunities for children to learn to sing and to use their voices.
• To enhance the opportunities available for children to create and compose music on their own and with others and have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.  
• To evaluate the current scheme of work to ensure that the children are provided with an enriched curriculum that challenges and provides opportunities to further their skills knowledge and understanding of music.
• To provide opportunities beyond the National Curriculum to further and support understanding. These include having visitors with a musical talent, visiting concerts and school productions. External interests and talents Will be encouraged and showcased in class and assembly.

Impact

This will be monitored through the collection of pupil and staff voices, up-to-date data from our summative assessments, looking through the children’s books and learning walks with lesson observations, Music specific CPD, Participation and success in enrichment opportunities, Success in Music shared in school through performance and opportunity to show achievements e.g certificates in assemblies