Music 

Intent

At Flora Gardens the intention is that pupils gain a solid understanding of music through listening, singing, playing a variety of instruments, evaluating and composing across a wide variety of historical periods and musical genres. Our aim is to develop a curiosity for the subject, as well as build and deliver a music curriculum, which results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills that will enable pupils to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts.

Implementation

The music curriculum ensures pupils sing, listen, perform, compose and evaluate, incorporating fully the National Curriculum objectives.

• We ensure that sufficient time is given to music in order to enable pupils to meet the expectations set out in the National Curriculum programme of study; - 1 hour a week for all classes.
• Music planning is personalised to the needs of our pupils; it challenges them and builds on previous learning;
• To further support this and enhance musicianship and creativity, pupils take part in weekly singing assemblies, two school choirs (Infant and Junior), concerts and performances, music trips and visiting workshops; an example of this is the Year 2 trip to the Infant Voices Festival, at Kensington Hall, where our pupils had the opportunity to join forces with other local primary schools and perform from memory, in 2-part harmony to a large audience.
• Music quizzes on the vocabulary they should know (age appropriate) are done twice a half term by all children – at the start of the half term and the end to track gains in their knowledge
• We offer in-school instrumental tuition (parents cover the cost) to pupils wishing to further develop their musical knowledge by learning an instrument. These lessons (currently in keyboard and violin) are delivered by visiting music specialists on a weekly basis.

Impact

The impact of the music curriculum  is measured  through the following:

• The delivery of a broad music curriculum enables pupils to develop fundamental skills and abilities such as: achievement, self-confidence, interaction with, awareness of, and respect for others;
• Pupils are able to enjoy music, in as many ways as they choose - either as listener, creator or performer. They can sing with confidence and feel a pulse. They have an understanding of how to further develop their music skills, should they ever develop an interest in their lives;
• A celebration of work, knowledge and skills achieved on Topic displays across the school;
• Termly assessments using the age-appropriate Subject Progressions and Music vocabulary quizzes

How Parents Can Help

Songs can be a great memory aid for learning and there are many nursery rhymes and educational songs you can sing with your child. If you have internet, youtube can be a great help to sing along to unfamiliar songs.  Clapping rhythms or using body percussion is also a great way for children to learn and remember longer sequences, especially younger children.

If your child takes an instrument home, please encourage them to practise for 10 minutes every day and make sure you and your child know how to look after the instrument carefully as they are very delicate and expensive.

There are many opportunities for children to be involved in music within the community. If your child is interested in receiving alternative instrumental tuition, please refer to this website for more details. www.triboroughmusichub.org