Music

Vision

Music at St Margaret’s aims to give pupils the experience of a to listen to a wide variety of musical genres and styles, create music around a given theme, sing as part of a group or on their own, build confidence to discuss music and perform. Music will engage and inspire pupils through high-quality teaching and actively seeking those opportunities to enrich our pupils’ lives with music.  Children will leave Year 6 with a fascination and enthusiasm for listening and creating music.

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― Plato

Intent

At St Margaret’s, our music curriculum is designed to be inspiring, inclusive and imaginative. All pupils, including those in EYFS, will develop an understanding and an enjoyment for different genres of music through listening and appraising followed by instilling a confidence to sing, compose and perform on a variety of instruments. The teaching of these will in turn develop our pupil’s teamwork and knowledge of the world around them through the medium of music.

We believe music is an integral part of life and, as such, we feel that every child should experience live music during their school life. We intend to engage with local groups and venues to provide the opportunity for every child to see and hear music played live across every key stage.

Implementation

The teaching of music at St Margaret’s takes place weekly following Out of the Ark’s Sparkyard curriculum. This approach promotes a clear progression from EYFS through to Year 6. Music lessons are inclusive and adapted to suit the needs of all pupils, including those with SEND.

In EYFS, music is integrated through singing, rhythm games, movement, and instrument play underpinned by the Sparkyard curriculum and aligning with the Early Learning Goals and Development Matters. In Key Stages 1 and 2, the Sparkyard scheme provides a clearly sequenced curriculum, building progressively on prior learning in pulse, rhythm, pitch, notation, composition, and performance.

We want all children who attend St Margaret’s to have the opportunity to experience live music throughout their schooling. Our music offer includes links with local venues and performers to enable pupils to listen to and witness music played live whilst they are at primary school.

Impact

• Pupils in all years demonstrate a knowledge of musical terminology and understanding
• A clear progression across all keys stages of the skills needed to listen, appraise, play and perform music
• Singing opportunities to enrich and instil confident; as a part of a choir or in whole school assemblies
• Opportunities to perform in front of peers, parents and the wider community
• The chance to experience live music performed by professional musicians in local performance venues