Music

Intent

Music and singing is integral to the life of a Hillstone’s child. We provide a vibrant musical experience for all children.

We provide opportunities for all children to create, play, perform
and enjoy music, to develop the skills, to appreciate a wide variety of musical forms, and to begin to make judgements about the quality of music.

Extra-curricular clubs such as our school choir, infant and junior performing arts and instrumental lessons enhance the curriculum on offer.

Concerts and events take place regularly at Hillstone Primary to further inspire pupils and develop their musical and cultural abilities.

Through our music curriculum pupils will:

  • Gain enjoyment, self-confidence and a sense of achievement through musical activities.
  • Be aware of, understand and respond appropriately to the rich variety of sounds in their environment and particularly to those organised arrangements of sounds called music.
  • Acquire musical skills and understanding of musical concepts through primarily active listening then performing and composing.
  • Develop their capacity to express ideas and feelings through the medium of sound.

Implementation

Collaboration through composition

At Hillstone we deliver a clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum through Charanga scheme, enabling the children to have broad experience of musical genre and composers.
Charanga is a scheme of work which offers a topic-based approach to support children’s learning in music. A steady progression plan has been built into Charanga, both within each year and from one year to the next, ensuring consistent musical development. By using Charanga as the basis of a scheme of work, we can ensure that they are fulfilling the aims for musical learning stated in the National Curriculum. Charanga includes many examples 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. Charanga provides a classroom-based, participatory and inclusive approach to music learning. Throughout the scheme, children are actively involved in using and developing their singing voices, using body percussion and whole-body actions, and 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 have opportunities to explore sounds, listen actively, compose and perform. skill and given chance for collaboration through composition. During music lessons children will be given opportunities to learn music specific vocabulary in a meaningful context. During the lesson children will be given opportunities to apply skill and given chance for collaboration through composition.

Impact

Reflective process

All pupils will benefit from a high-quality music education which engages and inspires them to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians. It will increase their self confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they will develop a growing musical vocabulary that allows them to critically engage with music. Teaching and learning of music is a reflective process for the children as they are given the opportunities to assess themselves and their peers. The children also celebrate their success and skills with their peers and wider audiences.

Further documentation

Showcase