Intent

At St. Mark’s C of E Primary Academy, we intend for our children to 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.

Our objective at St. Mark’s C of E Primary Academy is to develop a curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the validity and importance of all types of music, and an unbiased respect for the role that music may wish to be expressed in any person’s life. We are committed to ensuring children understand the value and importance of music in the wider community, and are able to use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts.

Implementation

The music curriculum ensures pupils sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. These opportunities are embedded in the lessons as well as the daily Collective Assemblies, various concerts and performances and the learning of instruments. The elements of music are taught in the music lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to dissect it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed.

In the lessons, pupils learn how to play an instrument, from three of the main instrumental groups of wind, strings and percussion. The children learn to play the ukulele and the recorder in KS2. Some children are further extended by being encouraged to learn keyboards in an after school club. In doing so they understand the methods of creating notes, as well as how to read basic music notation. They also learn how to compose focussing 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. We work closely with the Disney company to put on an annual production which displays the children's talents in music and drama.

Impact

Whilst in school, children have access to a varied programme, which allows them to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. The integral nature of music and the learner creates an enormously rich palette from which our children can access fundamental abilities such as: achievement, self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others, and self-reflection.

Music will also develop an understanding of their culture and history, both in relation to students individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world. Children are able to enjoy music, in as many ways as they choose- either as listeners, creators or performers. They can dissect music and comprehend its parts. They can sing and feel a pulse. They have an understanding of how to further develop skills less known to them, should they ever develop an interest in their lives