Music
Click here to read about how we approach our curriculum, and to download our subject pathways.
St Paul's Music Rationale
Music is all around us. It is the soundtrack to our lives. Music connects us through people and places in our ever-changing world. It is creative, collaborative, celebratory and challenging. In our schools, music can bring communities together through the shared endeavour of whole-school singing, ensemble playing, experimenting with the creative process and, through the love of listening to friends and fellow pupils, performing. The sheer joy of music making can feed the soul of a school community, enriching each student while strengthening the shared bonds of support and trust which make a great school.
(Model Music Curriculum, March 2021).
At St Paul’s C of E Primary School, we believe that the teaching of music contributes to learning across the curriculum spiritually, socially, culturally and linguistically. Music is an important manifestation of our cultural heritage, providing an outlet for creativity, self expression, and individuality. It teaches children about aspects of their relationships with other people and with the world around them, in their own and other cultures. Through active involvement in the universal language of our music curriculum, we aim to provide our pupils with transferable skills, attitudes and knowledge. We are committed to providing a rich range of enjoyable, stimulating experiences for our children during their time in school, beginning with song to capitalise upon the richness of vocal culture within our community. All pupils have access to the music curriculum and learn to play an instrument through external specialist provision from our local music hub and within planned learning experiences. We believe that it is a fundamental part of child development and a powerful form of communication for all our pupils as we strive to inspire a love of music whilst developing their talent as musicians.
Studying music heightens sensitivity and appreciation, develops listening skills, raises confidence, and provides opportunities for success as a performer. Performing music makes neural connections in the developing brain, refining auditory and motor skills. This curriculum is planned to provide continuity and progression. We believe that our children learn best when they see links, build upon prior learning and are encouraged to be independent through practical immersion in activities. We actively promote an ethos of joyful immersion at individual, group, class, phase or whole school singing ensures they become ultimately creative and critical thinkers. Lessons are designed to enable children to develop listening skills in their appraisal of music, opportunities to sing and play an instrument, compose and perform through a repeated cycle that deepens learning over time and ensures all of our children are musicians. This provides continuity. We recognise and believe that through encountering and engaging with an array of exploratory and engaging musical activities, we ensure that our pupils are prepared to be citizens who are culturally engaged, aware and connected.
