Music

‘‘If music be the food of love, play on.’’  – William Shakespeare

Music at Washingborough Academy

Intent

Our music curriculum is delivered in a way that inspires imagination, self-expression and ignites our children on a rhythmical journey of sound. At Washingborough Academy, each lesson encourages children to explore different styles, cultures, instruments and purposes leading to a well-rounded appreciation and lifelong love of music. As they progress through their learning, we aim to increase their knowledge and understanding of music theory along with acquiring new skills for understanding musical notation.

Through high quality music education and practical experiences, children are given time to play, sing and be part of a class and whole school musical community.

Implementation

The scheme embedded at Washingborough Academy is Charanga; which supports all the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum for music in England. The curriculum is taught over a two-year cycle for each key stage phase. All children from Nursery to Year 6 are exposed to a diverse range of musical experiences, teaching them basic music skills such as listening, understanding, composing and improvising. Each lesson is fun, dynamic and stimulating, providing the children with valuable new skills. Throughout the year, we provide the children with opportunities to develop their singing skills, through various productions and assemblies. There are further opportunities for those children that wish to study a musical instrument.

The curriculum focuses on three key areas:

  • Exploring music from a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions through performance, listening, reviewing and evaluating – with an awareness or great composers and musicians
  • Using their voices, instruments and technology to create music and have the opportunity to work towards musical excellence
  • Having an awareness of the creation, production and communication of music – including inter-related dimensions

Impact

The impact of our music curriculum is measured in a variety of ways:

  • Discussions with children in lessons
  • Questioning about the type or piece of music they children are listening to e.g. how does this piece of music make you feel?
  • Children learning new skills and instruments
  • Appreciating sound and understanding what it means
  • Learning walks
  • Pupil’s voice
  • Termly assessment

By the time children leave Washingborough Academy they will:

  • Discuss music and comprehend its parts
  • Sing, feel pulse, add rhythms and create melodies in groups
  • Understand a wide range of musical vocabulary
  • Be inspired to play an instrument or to sing
  • Continue to embrace music

‘‘I think music in itself is healing…no matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.’’  – Billy Joel