Music Curriculum Vision

‘Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.’  (Plato)

‘Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity.’ (The National Curriculum)

Purpose and Intent

At Radipole Primary School, we understand the importance of having music in our lives, for it makes us feel good and supports our emotional well-being and development. Just as an author inspires the reader, we hope to foster a life-long love of music by exposing the children to diverse musical experiences and igniting a passion for music. By listening and responding to different musical styles, finding their voices as singers and performers and as composers, we will enable them to become confident, reflective musicians. We hope to find music that moves them, from which they will continue to take joy from throughout their lives.

Our intention is that our children gain a firm understanding of what music is, through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. We aim to develop a curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the validity and importance of all types of music.

Implementation and Realisation

Radipole Primary has a two-pronged approach to the teaching of music: through using the Charanga Musical School Scheme  (which is taught by all class teachers), and through our Orchestra programme (which is taught by our music specialist).

Through the musical scheme Charanga, the children have to access the musical curriculum in a fun and engaging way, further promoting a love of learning. The Charanga scheme, designed specifically for the teaching of music in primary schools, provide children with the opportunities to review, remember, deepen and apply their understanding. Playing various instruments enables children to use a range of methods to create notes, as well as how to read basic music notation. They also learn how to compose, focusing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music. Composing or performing using body percussion and vocal sounds is also part of the curriculum, which develops the understanding of musical elements without the added complexity of an instrument. In addition to the music lessons, all children attend a weekly KS1 or KS2 singing assembly where the joy of singing is actively encouraged and promoted through a wide repertoire of songs.

Impact and Evaluation

As children progress through the school, they develop a deep knowledge, understanding an appreciation of music and its place within the wider creative arts context. Through their growing knowledge and understanding of music, children gain an appreciation of life in different societies, helping to develop a sense of other cultures. There are many ways we can demonstrate the music curriculum at Radipole Primary School. Below are a few highlights:

• All classes/ year groups to perform their Charanga lessons in an assembly
• The whole school perform a range of songs as part of their Nativity, Year performances or Leavers Performances.
• Weekly singing assemblies for both KS1 and KS2
• Children in Year 3, who have the opportunity to receive lessons from the Dorset Music Hub, to perform for parents and the school.
• All classes have evidence of listening to a wide range of music.
• The school choir is open KS2 and they perform at a number of events throughout the year.
• Additional music clubs to share their skills and passion at regular intervals
• Children to take part on the Dorset Music Singing Strategy
• The children will learn to evaluate their own performances and of others by celebrating the good, and recognising where improvements can be made to enhance future performances.