Music

curriculum vision on a page template 2.pdf

Intent

"Music is a world within itself and a language we all understand" - Stevie Wonder

Here at SMATT, we want children to ‘let their light shine’ in a musical environment helping them to flourish as musicians of the future and develop a life-long love of music. Music is universal, and is deeply embedded within our school community through cross-curricular learning, concerts and worship. We believe music contributes to children’s spiritual development, creativity and confidence helping them to be passionate and resilient in their everyday life.

Implementation

At SMATT, we use the KAPOW Primary Music Curriculum. Kapow provides a classroom-based, participatory and inclusive approach to Music teaching and learning, and ensures consistency across year groups and builds skills progressively. Kapow Curriculum provides the framework for learning, supporting staff with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver the subject with confidence. All children, from FS to Y6 will study a termly themed unit to learn progressive skills and knowledge, ensuring children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate music according to the
requirements of the National Curriculum.

Children in years 4, and 5 experience additional music teaching for a period during the year; ukulele and keyboards. This builds upon learning in KS1 and equips the children with a sound knowledge of structure, rhythm and pitch by the time they reach upper KS2.

Music is taught on a weekly basis from Year 1 to Year 6. Teachers use and adapt Kapow Music lessons plans to meet the needs of their classes. Kapow Primary Music is a spiral curriculum which promotes three key principles:

• Cyclical: Pupils return to the same skills and knowledge again and again during their time in primary school.
• Increasing depth: Each time a skill or area of knowledge is revisited, it is covered with greater depth.
• Prior knowledge: Upon returning to a skill, prior knowledge is utilised so pupils can build upon previous foundations, rather than starting again.

Kapow provides teacher knowledge videos to support CPD, so that staff feel knowledgeable and confident teaching Music to a high standard.

Music in EYFS

In Reception, Music is an integral part of the daily routine, providing children with numerous opportunities to engage creatively and develop key skills. Children sing a variety of well-known nursery rhymes and songs, often performing these with others and, when appropriate, moving in
time with the Music. Throughout the year, children have access to instruments during child-initiated activities, allowing them to explore rhythm and sound. In addition to their daily nursery rhyme sessions, Reception children take part in performances such as nativity plays, where they sing and act out songs in front of an audience. They also benefit from Write Dance, a programme that uses Music and movement to develop physical coordination and early writing skills. During one term of PE, they focus on dance, further enhancing their physical development through rhythm and movement. Additionally, children participate in standalone Music lessons to focus specifically on rhyme and rhythm, supporting their overall Musical development.

Subject in Action

Adaptive Teaching Toolkit

adaptive teaching strategies music docx 2.pdf

Adaptive Teaching in Progress

Take a look below at some adaptive teaching strategies you will see in Music to ensure children have the best outcomes in their learning.

Use of ear defenders.

A quiet space away from the main classroom.

Enrichment Opportunities

Extra-Curricular/ Musical Enrichment Activity	Frequency	Impact/Implementation
iRock	1x a week	Our school’s partnership with iRock allows pupils to receive small group musical tuition in an instrument of their choice (drums, bass, guitar, keyboard and vocals). The group will perform as a band to the school at the end of each term.
Year 5 Keyboard Lessons	1x a week	Children receive free keyboard lessons as part of our music funding. To take part children will hand a slip into their class teacher. The children will be taken in two groups. This develops the children’s instrumental skills.
Year 4 Ukulele	1x a week	All children receive free ukulele lessons as part of our music funding. At the end of the year, year 4 perform as an ensemble to the whole school demonstrating their new musical skill.
Choir	1x a week	The choir is for KS2 children and is open for anyone to join. There is no audition process and practice takes part at a designated time during the school day to ensure no children are missing their lunch or break. Children gain valuable experience performing as an ensemble, developing musicality and confidence.

Name of Performance	Frequency	Impact/Implementation
Harvest Service Christmas Carol Service Pentecost Service Christingle Service Easter Service	Term specific	The whole school (EYFS to Year 6) practice specific hymns to perform at each service. This allows all children to flourish as a community through ensemble singing. Tickets are free and can be collected from the office.
Class Assembly	One class a term	Each term a class will demonstrate their learning (topic specific) though an assembly. This will include singing as an ensemble. This cross-curricular learning approach helps to strengthen subject knowledge and music specific skills. Tickets are free and can be collected from the office.
Nativities	EYFS, Year 1 and 2 1x each at Christmas	Children develop skills singing as an ensemble. This will be the first time the children have sung in front of the school so it is a valuable experience to develop confidence. Tickets are free and can be collected from the office.
Year 6 Production	1x a year	Year 6 perform a play at the end of the year. This will include singing, dancing and acting. It helps to promote a love of music, developing confidence and performance as an ensemble Tickets are free and can be collected from the office.
Daily Worship	Daily	Children are invited to sing as part of our daily worship.
Christmas Pantomime	1x a year	The whole school is visited by a travelling pantomime. This is an interactive show, whilst also allowing the children to watch professional singers/actors.
Family Trust	3x a year	The whole school is visited three times a year by family trust. Children are invited to sing and join in with dances and actions.

2024- 2025

- A group of children took part in a workshop run by composer Steve Higgins. Children conducted and composed their own music. "I feel inspired to make my own music" - Year 3 pupil, "I want to share my knowledge of compositions with others" - Year 4 pupil

- Year 3 had a brilliant local clarinetist come and perform pieces of music to them. "We were blown away by her talent, the children were engaged and inspired" - Year 3 class teacher

Impact

Impact Whilst at SMATT, children have access to a varied Musical curriculum, building their skills as an ‘appreciator’ as well as a ‘performer’. Children are able to express an appreciation of music through musical experiences both inside the classroom and as a whole school. There are different ways in which we measure the impact of our Music curriculum. These include:

● Pre and post reviews are completed collaboratively, and each child is assessed on a final piece

● Assessing pupil’s understanding of topic vocabulary before and after

● Images, videos and sound clips of practical learning

● Talking with pupils to gather pupil voice

● Summative assessment at the end of each unit

Much of the assessment is based on observation. When a teacher evaluates performing and composing the emphasis is on progression of skills and knowledge. Observation is used to note pupil’s understanding, knowledge and skills and self-assessment and peer assessment are invaluable too. Video recordings and photographs provide an opportunity for assessment and written recording can sometimes be a guide. Year 1 – 6 use the ‘Kapow’ objectives and assessment criteria to assess against progress in knowledge and skills in relation to ARE. Through our assessment tracking grids, we see any gaps in knowledge or skills and adjust the curriculum and planning appropriately.