Music Champion: 

Mrs Balcon

Most of us come across music pretty much every day, whether that be on the radio, TV and even times we don't even realise such as during films. It is very much part of our everyday lives and has a huge effect on health and well-being by promoting positive emotions. I love music because it brings people together in conversation - everyone has an opinion on music, it provides a creative outlet to express our personal characteristics and it is fun! It is fabulous that our school provides an opportunity for all children to learn a range of instruments and learn about music history and I really look forward again this year to seeing the incredible musicians that our curriculum promotes.

Our Vision

Intent:

For children to develop self-expression and creativity through experiences to listen and perform and to learn an instrument (in KS2) and to have a critical approach to musical experiences, understanding that people may have different tastes in music and that music does not have to be ‘liked’ to be appreciated.

Delivery: 

We have adopted the scheme Charanga to support and improve the quality of music teaching that children receive at our school. Charanga works seamlessly with the national curriculum ensuring that learners revisit the interrelated dimensions of music: pulse, voice, pitch and rhythm- building upon previous learning and skills. The learning within this Scheme is based on: Listening and Appraising, Musical Activities, creating and exploring and singing and performing.  

All learners from EYFS - Y6 receive a weekly music lesson supported by Charanga. The Charanga music scheme allows children to experience a new topic and style of music every half term. These lessons provide children with the opportunity to listen and respond to different styles of music, use their voices and instruments to listen and sing back and have a go at composing their own piece of music. The lessons are planned so that each year children follow on from the learning they completed the previous year and clear progression is evident across the school.

In addition to the taught music curriculum learners listen to a range of music styles and genres in assembly, as well as having a singing assembly every week. 

Impact:

To develop children’s metacognitive skills for life-long learning in understanding how they learn through experiences and critical review. And through critical review, that they can appreciate that others may have a different experience in music (positive or negative) to them and yet still have a personal valid point of view. At Fairmeadows the impact in developing the children’s confidence will also extend into the community by showcasing skills through concerts beyond the classroom.

Aims

At Fairmeadows, music is taught throughout the school as a class subject and in a cross-curricular way through key people, songs and technology throughout music history. The aim is to develop each child’s musical potential by giving opportunities for self-expression and creativity.

Musical experiences at Fairmeadows:

Instrumental tuition is available to all children. In Key Stage 2, all children will receive tuition from experienced practitioners through The Music Partnership. Children in Year Five and Six can choose to continue musical tuition in school through ukulele lessons and are taught in small groups – parents are required to meet the cost. Those who play instruments are encouraged to utilise their skills in school by joining a school band and playing in concerts. The school choir will also take part in various concerts and events throughout the year.

This year the children enjoyed showcasing their learning and talents to parents in a summer performance. 

In Key Stage 2 children also have the opportunity to enjoy a trip to Young Voices. This opportunity allows our students to perform in some of the countries greatest arenas alongside talented musicians.  

To achieve this with all their school friends around them for support, it helps their self-belief, self-motivation, confidence, and ability to communicate as part of a team - which is invaluable! 

• Games: To understand how pulse, rhythm and pitch work together to create music through Warm-up Games and Flexible Games.
• Singing: Sing songs/raps together in a group/ensemble.
• Playing Instruments: Use glocks, recorders or band instruments if appropriate. Learn to play together in a band or ensemble.
• Improvisation: Learn that improvisation is when you make up your own tune or rhythm. An improvisation is not written down or notated. If written down in any way or recorded, it becomes composition.
• Composition: Learn that composition is creating rhythms and melodies that are notated or recorded in some way.
• Musicians: To learn about movers and shakers in classic and modern music.
• Musical history: Experience and critically review modern and classic forms of music.
• Music technology: Learn how listening to music has developed through live rendition, phonographic records, tape. Cd, digital and streamed music.
• E-Safety: To understand that downloading music without paying is illegal and a form of stealing – it could lead to virus’ and aid criminal activity.
• Music visits: To experience live music through secondary school visits, and professionally performed concerts.
• School clubs: To further develop skills through learning an instrument.
• Pupil voice interviews: Pupils to have an active contribution into their Music curriculum.