Intent

Our music curriculum is based on the requirements of the National Curriculum, the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework and the Model Music Curriculum. It is a skills based curriculum developing musical skills from Early Years to Year 2. It aims to equip the children with the knowledge, understanding and skills to be lifelong learners and to enjoy, participate and achieve in music.

The musical dimensions of pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture and structure form the core of what the children are learning. Children will develop the musical skills of singing, playing, listening and performing and will learn the musical vocabulary needed to describe and discuss the music they perform and hear with increasing awareness.

The National Curriculum details that in KS1 pupils should:

• 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.

Implementation

Music lessons at Oakley Infant School are delivered weekly by class teachers. There is a clear sequence of learning across the school which builds progression with a focus on exploring musical skills, developing understanding and opportunities to apply the learning through a range of practical musical activities. Children are given opportunities to be creative, explore their learning and deepen and apply their understanding. Teaching units usually culminate in a performance where the children have the opportunity to apply their skills, work together as a team and reflect on their learning. Children also listen to and enjoy music from a wide range of cultures, traditions, contexts and purposes not only during the course of music lessons but also in assemblies and where appropriate, in class.   

Impact

Our music curriculum is designed to challenge and to demonstrate progression.  We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• Assessment of standards achieved against the planned objectives
• Children are able to apply previous learnt musical skills as they compose and perform
• Children are able to talk about their learning in music confidently (Verbal feedback; Pupil conferencing).

Music Overview