Music

Intent

Our children have the opportunity to explore and learn about music throughout the school. Our broad curriculum includes the development of singing, learning to play tuned and untuned instruments, studying the dynamics of music and different genres of music through to providing the foundations to composition.

We deliver high quality teaching in music and hold the Trafford Music Mark Award which reflects our dedication to including music within our school life including assemblies and concerts.  Additonally, we are very proud that the children in our school choir have enjoyed the opportunity to develop their singing skills further by performing to a wider audience in local festivals and charity events.

Learning the techniques to play music begins in EYFS and is developed further each year.  All children receive specialist instrumental teaching, across a range of musical instruments, from Trafford Music Service. Children in year 1 are taught to play ocarina. They build on these skills in years 2 and 3 when they learn to play recorder. In year 4 children have the opportunity to play Ukuleles. Djembe drums are taught in year 5 as part of their topic in Africa. Year 6 rotate musical instruments including violin and guitar. In 2019 we have been working with Trafford Music Service on initiatives to promote the inclusiveness of music in school. This has resulted in free instrument hire and music lessons for children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn to play an instrument. Currently we have children across KS2 learning to play French horn and trumpet on a weekly basis.   Furthermore, many of our children go onto develop and refine their music skills as part of an ensemble with Trafford Music Service.  Music for Schools Foundation staff also provide instrumental tuition for children in school, but there is an additional charge for this.

Children are taught to listen to, identify and explore the dynamics of music from an early age. In KS1 we encourage them to appreciate and describe their feelings towards a wide range of styles and genres of music. In KS2 we build on this by providing them with an understanding of the historical, social or cultural context of a particular musical style.

Children are taught to compose music from an early age. In KS1 they improvise simple melodies using percussion instruments. In KS2 they progress to composing their own melodies with tuned instruments and have the opportunity to experiment with digital resources such as Garage Band.