The Intent, Implementation and Impact of our MUSIC curriculum

Our Approach (Intent)

We believe that music is a powerful, unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act. It brings together intellect and feeling and enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development. As an integral part of culture, past and present, it helps pupils understand themselves and relate to others, forging important links between the home, school and the wider world.

Music also increases self-discipline and creativity, aesthetic awareness, sensitivity and fulfilment. We seek to offer a range of opportunities for children to participate in playing instruments and experiencing music.

The teaching of music at Springfield develops pupils' ability to listen and appreciate a wide variety of music and to make judgements about musical quality. At Springfield, we encourage active involvement in different forms of amateur music making and singing, both individual and communal, thereby developing a sense of group identity and togetherness.

Aims and Objectives

For Staff:

• to promote a confident, positive attitude towards the learning of and joining in music, making it an enjoyable experience
• to promote confidence and competence in the skills of singing, playing instruments and sharing practical instrumental work
• to provide opportunities for the development of musical skills where relevant across the curriculum 

For Children:

• to develop an enjoyment of learning through practical activity, exploration and performing
• to develop confidence and competence in the skills of singing, playing instruments and sharing practical work
• to develop and understanding and appreciation of different types of music from around the world
• to know and understand how sounds are made and then organised into musical structures
• to know how music is made through a variety of instruments
• to know how music is composed and written down
• to know how music is influenced by the time, place and purpose for which it was written
• to develop the interrelated skills of performing, composing and appreciating music.

How Music is implemented:

Currently we: 

• Deliver Music through a music program that ensures our children sing, listen, compose, play, perform and evaluate.
• Teach Music lessons in the classroom lessons, using our Music programto dissect and understand how songs and pieces of music are made up, played, appreciated and analysed.
• Introduce music technology lessons in Year 5&6 to enable children to record their own arrangements and emulate the compositional process used by professional music producers.
• Compose and perform music using body percussion and vocal sounds as part of our Music curriculum to develop the understanding of musical elements.
• Hold weekly Music assemblies to open up the world of classical music and composers to our children, and inspire them to develop their own creative responses.  
• Use our Now>Press>Play equipment to enhance and create the experience of listening to ‘live’ music.
• Hold singing assemblies with classes to build a wide repertoire of songs, including a variety of inspirational modern songs.
• Hold two main performances a year for parents, incorporating well known songs that children and parents can relate to.

Where can you see the impact of our Music curriculum?

• Evidence and examples of Music work in our Learning Journeys;
• Photographs/videos of performances and class work on school website and class pages;
• The range and progression of Music activities now featured in our planning;
• Children discussing their ideas and responses to Music, the cultural, mental health and wellbeing benefits of music in our school; how we emotionally ‘connect’ with music, how it brings us together and makes us feel happy, ways in which learning Music helps to develop confidence – e.g taking part in performances, Springfield’s Got Talent

The Music knowledge we want our children to learn