Music
Music development plan summary 2024-25:
EYFS and Key Stage One
In Robins and Swans, we follow a classroom-based hands-on approach to music learning. Throughout the music curriculum children are actively involved in using and developing their singing voices, using body percussion and whole body actions in addition to learning to handle and play classroom instruments effectively to create and express their own and others' music.
Through a range of whole class, group and individual activities, children will have opportunities to explore sounds, listen actively, compose and perform.
Children will study a range of music styles and genres from different times and places. These are explored through the language of music via active listening, performing and composing activities which enable understanding of the context and genre.
Key Stage Two
Owls and Penguins class are lucky to receive expert music tuition from ‘The Music Partnership’ who are a group of the region’s leading quality music education providers, committed to working together to ensure all young people have the opportunity to sing, learn an instrument and perform as part of an ensemble or choir.
The Whole Class Ensemble Teaching (WCET) programme is a fully inclusive whole class approach where pupils learn their instruments together. The WCET programme provides a vibrant foundation of music-making and equips pupils with the vital skills, knowledge and understanding that will enable them to make good progress with instrumental and vocal learning in future years.
Pupils in Key Stage Two will receive a weekly session over two terms where they will receive tuition for playing the dood; a single-reed wind instrument with a mellow clarinet-like sound.
At the end of each academic year, pupils participate in an end of year WCET celebration concert.
Extra-Curricular Music
Pupils in Key Stage Two also have the opportunity to learn to play other instruments such as the guitar, saxophone, clarinet or flute. These lessons are provided by our local Music Hub at Entrust Music Service, Staffordshire, and are paid for by parents (grants are available and school will subsidise children eligible for pupil premium). These pupils take part in end of term music performances in school, alongside the WCET class, and parents are invited.
When there is enough demand we have also run an after school choir club that have then performed at events such as Carol Services and at care homes.
Enrichment
Music is not just restricted to formal lessons but forms an important part of the tapestry of life at Manor Primary. Children in Early Years receive a regular diet of songs and nursery rhymes as well as ongoing opportunities to express themselves through sound in the provision with musical instruments both inside and outside that are always accessible.
KS1 and KS2 have a weekly singing assembly where they learn songs and rounds as well as doing vocal exercises and warm ups. They also learn a canon of assembly songs that are sung together regularly.
We choose 'Music of the Week' which is displayed at the front of the hall and played as children enter and leave assembly. This is chosen from a range of genres and eras and briefly discussed with the children to broaden their experience and enjoyment of music and their cultural capital.
Each year group learns songs to perform to an audience with Harvest Festival and Carol Service for the whole school as well as Nativity plays for EYFS and KS1, Easter productions for Year 3/4 and a leavers production for Year 5/6. These allow opportunities for solos and small groups to shine.
When classes have productions where children are spending extra time learning songs and music for performance the time musical units in the long term plan may be shortened (while ensuring coverage of key objectives) to maintain a balance across the curriculum.
Plans for the Future:
We are always looking for ways to improve our musical offer and this year we plan to carry out an audit of our music provision alongside the Music Hub advisors. We also intend to audit our music resources in school and will be looking to invest in some more tuned whole class instruments to support the teaching and learning.
Manor Long Term Plan - based on Charanga's 'Model Music Curriculum' scheme
