Intent

At Springfield Primary School we value Music as a powerful and unique form of expression and communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act. It also increases self-discipline and creativity, aesthetic sensitivity and fulfilment.

The New National Curriculum specifies that every child should have the opportunity to engage in making music. Music teaching offers opportunities for them to:

• Develop their understanding and appreciation of a wide range of different kinds of music, developing and extending their own interests and increasing their ability to make judgements of musical quality.
• Develop skills, attitudes and attributes that can support learning in other subject areas and that are needed for life and work, for example listening skills, the ability to concentrate, creativity, intuition, aesthetic sensitivity, perseverance, self-confidence and sensitivity towards others.

Implementation

We use the Charanga scheme at Springfield – an exciting digital resource which all year groups have great fun discovering.

Whole school singing assemblies take place weekly with follow up work being done in classes.

We have several events on our school calendar where children have the opportunity to perform in front of an audience.

The Young Voices choir sing at the NEC Arena, Birmingham each year as part of the YV schools choir.

We link with the Derby Music Partnership to provide the ‘Wider Opportunuities’ programme which allows whole class teaching on instruments such as djembe drums.

Private instrument lessons are held during the school day. Fees apply and there are bursaries available for children who qualify for free school meals and those who have been part of the Wider Opps programme.

We hope teachers enjoy teaching music as their enthusiasm impacts on the children’s enjoyment of the subject. We understand that music is sometimes seen as a challenge to the non-specialist, and with this in mind, we provide teachers with the resources they need to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum by subscribing to Charanga. Charanga is designed so non-specialist Teacher can provide high quality music lessons.  Teachers with specialisms are not constrained by the scheme and are encouraged to use their own skills, if they wish to do so, to cover the objectives within their year group. Cornerstones also has a wealth of ideas which fit in with our cross-curricular topics and can be also be used to cover the learning in school.

Impact

Our main priority at Springfield Junior School is to teach and perfect the skills implemented by the National Curriculum for Music. Our music scheme of work is Charanga which complements the curriculum and scaffolds the learning opportunities throughout KS2.  It aims to ensure that all pupils:

• confidently perform either singing or skilfully playing an instrument, either solo or as part of a group.
• compose and create song with verses and chorus and create rhythmic patterns and an awareness of timbre and duration; digital technology may be used to compose, edit and refine pieces of music. o begin to transcribe and use standard musical notation and read and create notes on the musical stave, describe music, using a wide range of musical vocabulary to accurately describe and appraise.

Every year, each year group has an extra music experience to enrich their classroom lessons.

There is a dedicated ‘Whole School Singing’ session weekly.

During assembly, children hear pieces of music from a wide variety of genres. There are daily facts about both the composer and the piece of music.

Staff often use background music in the classroom, whilst the children work or whilst eating lunch, to promote a calm atmosphere.

Whenever possible, we invite Musicians into school to perform or work with our children. We have a good relationship with our local secondary schools and invite their musicians in to perform for us. We have also taken groups of children out of school to watch performances.

Extra-curricular opportunities include:

• Performing at the NEC Arena in Birmingham as part of the Young Voices choir
• Singing in the choir (previous events include an evening in the park concert; carol services at the local church; QEGSMAT video)
• Taking part in the annual Summer Production
• Private music lessons (currently: woodwind and brass)

All children will develop a love of music. Exposure to high quality teaching means children enjoy music, both from the performing and participation point but through appreciation and evaluation of the work of others.

Exposure to music will also

• Reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.
• Help children regulate their emotions.
• Improve concentration and on-task behaviour.
• Enhance the way children can process language and speech