Music at Cusgarne
Music education encompasses all sorts of learning and situations. Some of this musical learning goes on in our classrooms in the form of weekly music lessons and at other times in our school structure, for example singing assemblies, nativity plays, celebrations, choirs, ukulele groups and throughout the extracurricular programme.
At Cusgarne School, we believe that the value music as a curriculum subject lies in its contribution to enjoyment and enrichment, for its social benefits, for those who engage in music during their time at Cusgarne School and as adults, both seriously as well as for fun. High quality music education, which is rich and inspiring, enables lifelong participation in, and enjoyment of, music. It is well recognised that music can also help to develop the skills, attitudes and attributes that can support learning in other national curriculum subjects. This includes listening skills, the ability to concentrate, creativity, intuitions, aesthetic sensitivity, perseverance, the ability to work in a group, self-confidence and sensitivity towards others. Music helps children learn across subjects, can help to build social and cultural values, and can also aid memory, which is why singing nursery rhymes and action songs are particularly good for a child's early development.
At Cusgarne School we teach music according to the following National Curriculum expectations for art and design at EYFS, KS1 and KS2.
EYFS Expectations:
Here are the Early learning goals that link most closely to the music curriculum:
Expressive Arts and Design (Exploring and Using Media and Materials)
Children sing songs, make music, dance and experiment with ways of changing them.
Expressive Arts and Design (Being Imaginative)
Children use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about uses and purposes. They represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role play and stories.
End of KS1 Expectations
Pupils should be taught to:
• use their voices expressively and creatively by singing songs and speaking chants and rhymes;
• play tuned and untuned instruments musically;
• listen with concentration and understanding to a range of high-quality live and recorded music;
• experiment with, create, select and combine sounds using the inter-related dimensions of music.
End of KS2 Expectations
Pupils should be taught to:
• play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts, using their voices and playing musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression;
• improvise and compose music for a range of purposes using the inter-related dimensions of music;
• listen with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory;
• use and understand staff and other musical notations;
• appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality live and recorded music drawn from different traditions and from great composers and musicians;
• develop an understanding of the history of music.
Please refer to our curriculum progression map below, which comprehensively shows the progression of music knowledge, skills and concepts for the children from year 1 to year 6.
Intent
Music should be an enjoyable experience for pupils and teachers. At Cusgarne our children participate in a range of musical experiences, building up their confidence at the same time. They develop their understanding of rhythm and pitch and learn how music is structured, as well as learning technical vocabulary for these elements. As children’s confidence builds, they enjoy the performance aspect of music. Children experience listening to music from different cultures and eras.
Implementation
At Cusgarne our music scheme of work is based on the award winning Charanga Musical School scheme of work to enrich our music teaching and learning. This provides us with week-by-week lessons for all years 1-6, with clear progression and assessment, and exciting whiteboard resources for every lesson. In line with all our other curriculum schemes of work, we then adapt our music teaching to the needs and interests of our children, building in cross curricular links wherever possible. Areas of learning, such as times tables in maths, vocabulary in languages and movement in dance can all incorporate different elements of music. Our weekly singing assemblies allow the children opportunities to develop their singing skills and gain an understanding of how ensembles work. Performances, such as Christmas plays and nativities and end of year shows, demonstrate that music is important to the life of the school. Extracurricular activities, such as choir and peripatetic music lessons, also provide children with experience of making music.
Impact
The impact of teaching a broad and balanced music curriculum is evident across our school by the value we place on and give to raising the profile of music. Whole-school and parental engagement is improved through performances, extracurricular activities and opportunities suggested in lessons/overviews for wider learning. The children’s participation in our music curriculum develops wellbeing, promotes listening and develops concentration. We want to ensure that music is loved by teachers and pupils across school, encouraging them to want to continue building on this wealth of musical ability, now and in the future.
