Music
INTENT
At Beamont we know that music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. We believe a high quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. Our curriculum is designed in a sequential way and as pupil’s progress, they will develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen to a variety of genres.
We adhere to the National Curriculum and the principles set and our aims match those from the National Curriculum to ensure that all pupils: perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians. We provide high quality teaching of Music in partnership with Presto Music providers. Children begin their musical journey in our EYFS and join in with rhymes and songs and progress on to learn to sing and use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others. Children will have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence. Children will understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.
Due to the pandemic, this year has proved difficult in terms of practical music making through singing and playing instruments (including music technology). We are fully aware of areas in the Music curriculum where this has been problematic and was not taught via remote learning. We will follow guidance as performance activities are reintroduced. As part of our recovery plan our curriculum at Key stage 1 will maintain its focus on increasing pupil’s accuracy, fluency and expression through singing and playing a range of instruments. Singing familiar songs together, concentrating on intonation, phrasing and clear dictation, and adding simple rhythmic accompaniments will help to build pupils confidence and quickly develop their listening skills.
In key stage 2 the focus will be on technical knowledge and skills that pupils have not been able to practise or develop sufficiently through performance or composition work when they have not been in school. More attention will be given to the extent to which pupils have missed the opportunity to develop their instrumental and singing skills, or their knowledge of constructive elements.
Our Music curriculum is delivered by experts – Presto. Our pathway for progression enables pupils to develop their musical knowledge. We know that progress in music requires pupils to develop musically across 3 pillars that interrelate in musicianship.
- The first pillar is the ‘technical’ development necessary for pupils to translate their intentions successfully into sound. This will often involve instrumental playing or singing but, if the resources are available, may also focus on music technology.
- The second pillar is the ‘constructive’ pillar. This refers to knowledge of how musical components come together both analytically and in the creative process.
- The third pillar, the ‘expressive’ pillar, is focused on the more indefinable aspects of music: quality, meaning and creativity.
We have ensured that our curriculum has clearly defined end points that we strive to meet.
We use the National Curriculum to plan our Music curriculum.
