Music

Intent

At The Willows Catholic Primary School, we aim to develop confident, creative and expressive musicians who enjoy making, performing and responding to music.

Our Music curriculum gives all pupils opportunities to sing, play instruments, listen, compose and perform. Pupils progressively develop their understanding of important musical concepts including pulse, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and notation.

We want pupils to experience music from a wide range of periods, traditions, cultures and styles. They learn to listen carefully, recognise musical features and explain their responses using appropriate musical vocabulary.

Performance and composition are central to our curriculum. Pupils develop confidence in using their voices and instruments individually and as part of an ensemble and learn to create, develop and evaluate their own musical ideas.

We aim to foster a lasting enjoyment of music and ensure that every pupil has opportunities to participate in high-quality musical experiences.

Implementation

Music is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum led by our Music Specialist and supported by Charanga Musical School, Lancashire Music Service and the Model Music Curriculum.

Learning develops progressively through singing, listening, performing and composing. Musical knowledge and skills are revisited regularly so that pupils develop increasing fluency, confidence and independence.

Pupils learn to recognise and use musical elements such as pulse, rhythm and pitch and progressively develop their understanding of musical notation. They listen to and discuss a broad range of music and learn how music can reflect different times, places, traditions and purposes.

Children have regular opportunities to perform using their voices, tuned and untuned percussion and other instruments. Music technology is also used to support composition and creative work.

In Year 4, every pupil takes part in Brass 4 All, receiving specialist tuition and learning to play a brass instrument as part of an ensemble. This gives every child the experience of sustained instrumental learning and performance.

Our curriculum is enriched through concerts, performances and opportunities to make music together as a school community. Pupils can also extend their learning through specialist instrumental tuition, choir and orchestra.

Teachers use questioning, observation, performance and pupils' compositions to assess learning and provide immediate feedback. Teaching is adapted where necessary so that all pupils can participate and make progress.

Impact

The impact of our Music curriculum is seen in pupils' increasing musical knowledge, confidence and ability to perform, compose and respond to music.

As pupils progress through school, they should demonstrate increasing control when singing and playing instruments and be able to perform both independently and as part of an ensemble.

They should develop a secure understanding of important musical concepts and use appropriate vocabulary when listening to, discussing and evaluating music.

Pupils should become increasingly confident composers. They should be able to create, develop and refine musical ideas and use their growing understanding of notation, instruments and musical elements to communicate them.

The Music subject leader monitors the quality and impact of the curriculum through lesson observations, pupil discussions, assessment information and pupils' performances and compositions.

By the end of Year 6, our aim is for pupils to leave The Willows with secure foundations in musicianship, confidence in performing and creating music and an appreciation of a broad range of musical traditions. We want them to see music as something they can continue to enjoy, participate in and value throughout their lives.

Music Enrichment

Music plays an important part in the wider life of The Willows. Pupils are given regular opportunities to perform, make music together and develop their interests beyond classroom lessons.

Our choir is open to pupils in Key Stage 2 and performs at school events, community occasions and wider musical events throughout the year. Singing together helps pupils develop confidence, musicianship and a strong sense of belonging.

Our school orchestra brings together pupils who are learning a range of instruments. Pupils rehearse regularly and have opportunities to perform at concerts, assemblies and special events.

We also offer specialist instrumental tuition in a range of instruments, including brass, strings and woodwind. These lessons allow pupils to develop their skills further through small-group teaching with specialist music teachers.

Through Brass 4 All, every pupil in Year 4 has the opportunity to learn a brass instrument and perform as part of an ensemble.

Pupils also take part in concerts, performances and musical celebrations throughout the year, including events linked to school life, the local community and our Catholic traditions.

These experiences help pupils develop confidence, teamwork, discipline and enjoyment of music. They also ensure that pupils have opportunities to perform for different audiences and experience the value of making music together.