Music

Intent

At Widewell Primary Academy, our music curriculum is designed to offer all pupils an engaging, high-quality music education that develops their musical skills, creativity, and appreciation for diverse cultural heritages. Our intent encompasses the following key objectives by following the Charanga scheme of work we intend to:

1. Develop Musical Proficiency: We aim to cultivate each pupil's ability to perform, compose, and listen to music, fostering their technical skills and expressive capabilities.
2. Promote Creativity and Self-Expression: We believe that music serves as a powerful medium for self-expression. Our curriculum encourages pupils to explore their creativity through composition and improvisation.
3. Foster Cultural Awareness: We aim to introduce pupils to a variety of musical genres, styles, and traditions from around the world, thereby enhancing their understanding of different cultures and their contexts.
4. Encourage Lifelong Learning: We intend to instil a love for music, leading pupils to appreciate and engage with music throughout their lives, whether as listeners, performers, or creators.

Implementation

To realise our musical intent, we have developed an implementation strategy which incorporates the following elements:

1. Diverse Curriculum Offerings: Our music curriculum follows the National Curriculum guidelines and integrates a wide range of musical styles, including but not limited to: classical, jazz, folk, and world music. Each unit is carefully sequenced to build on prior knowledge and skills.
2. Specialist Teaching: Our tuned instrument music lessons at KS2 are taught by qualified music educators who are passionate about their subject. They employ varied pedagogical approaches, including direct instruction, group collaboration, and experiential learning, to cater to diverse learning styles.
3. Performance Opportunities: We provide a multitude of opportunities for pupils to perform, both within the school and in the wider community. This includes regular concerts and collaboration with external musicians and organisations.
4. Assessment and Feedback: Formative assessments are conducted regularly to monitor pupil progress. This feedback loop is integral to our teaching approach, ensuring that all pupils can identify their strengths and areas for improvement, fostering a growth mindset towards music.
5. Inclusive Practices: We are committed to ensuring that all pupils have equal access to music education, regardless of their background or prior experience. We actively support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) through tailored intervention strategies and differentiated teaching practices.

Impact

The impact of our music curriculum is evident in several ways:

1. Musical Competence: By the end of their primary education, we expect pupils to demonstrate a high level of musical competence in performance, composition, and listening. This is evidenced by their ability to play an instrument, participate confidently in group performances, and articulate their thoughts on music critically.
2. Engagement with Music: Pupils show a strong enthusiasm for music, participating actively in lessons and extracurricular activities. Their enjoyment of music is reflected in positive feedback and high attendance rates in both classes and clubs.
3. Cultural Appreciation: Our pupils exhibit a broad understanding and appreciation of global musical traditions, demonstrating respect and curiosity for cultural differences. They engage thoughtfully with music from various backgrounds, contributing to a rich, diverse classroom environment.
4. Personal Development: Music education at Widewell not only enhances pupils' musical skills but also bolsters their confidence, self-esteem, and social skills. They develop essential life skills such as collaboration, perseverance, and problem-solving through their musical journey.

Through our commitment to excellence, we aim to inspire the next generation of musicians and music lovers.