Music
Intent
At Northfields Infant School we believe music is inclusive and accessible to all. We want pupils to develop a love of music through being exposed to different types of music: genres, composers, styles of music through high quality examples that are performed via live experiences or technology. We wish them to experience the sounds of different instruments through demonstrations and real-life experiences where possible. We want to inspire our pupils to be creative by exposing them to high quality teaching. We give our pupils the ability to learn about the different dimensions and develop skills to and plan, practise, perform and evaluate their own and others work. At Northfields, we want the pupils to develop the skills to be confident communicators, where they share ideas, plan independently and collaboratively, begin to understand notation, practise, and feel confident performing and sharing their work and skills with others to develop a love of learning in Music. At Northfields, there is a clear learning journey across year groups that ensures there is progression in skills and knowledge over the time a child is with us.
Implementation
At Northfields Infant School, we deliver the music curriculum through both class music lessons and fortnightly whole school singing assembly. Singing is inclusive to all using signing and both singing skills are taught, along with links to the dimensions through discussing the music they are learning. Music lessons focus on listening to high quality stimuli to explore the different dimensions and skills of music and develop them using singing and instruments, with opportunities to apply the knowledge through composition and performance.
The Pupils at Northfields participate in school performances such as a Harvest at the local church, a whole school Christmas production, class assemblies and an end of year assembly by Year 2.
At Northfields, music is strongly linked with other curriculum areas such as PE, Art and Science. Planning follows a curriculum map that specify the skills progression throughout the school. Year group planning builds on previous knowledge and skills to ensure each child progresses during their time with us from their various starting points. Year group planning is allowing pupils to gain knowledge, master skills, plan, prepare and perform.
Pupils play a variety of tuned and un-tuned percussion instruments in lessons.
Impact
At Northfields Infant School we can judge the success of our music curriculum in the following ways:
- Develop a love of music in various forms, the desire to listen to, perform and inspire curiosity in different genres and instruments seen through increased levels of participation.
- Pupil conferencing shows pupils happy, engaged, creative, enthusiastic and motivated to do well and challenged.
- Learning walks by subject leaders, senior leadership team, governors or external visitors – shows evidence of our intent in action and progress.
- Evidence of learning is shown with photographs, video and recordings alongside planning and end of unit assessments.
- Compositions and musical appreciation showcase the skills and knowledge experienced and taught. Pupils’ comments captured.
- Appreciation of how music can contribute to mood, relaxation, mental health and wellbeing.
- High quality performances are shared with fellow pupils, parents and visitors.
We strive to ensure that our pupils‘ attainment is in line with or exceeds their potential when we consider the varied starting points of all of our pupils.
