Intent

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen without discrimination to the best in the musical canon. (National Curriculum) At Instow we aim to ignite a passion for, and a life-long love of, music in each and every child. Through diverse musical experiences, each child will develop the necessary skills to become confident performers, composers and listeners, learning to respect and appreciate music from all cultures and communities. We want children to experience the sheer joy of music. Children will sing, play tuned and untuned instruments and will develop skills in improvising and composing. Children will become world-ready through regular opportunities to listen to, respond to, and perform, music from around the world and across the generations.

Implementation

At Instow we deliver a clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum through Kapow. This is supplemented with aspects of the BBC Ten pieces scheme, and some elements of the Charanga scheme, enabling children to have broad experience of musical genres and composers whilst remaining in their mixed age classes. Every class has ‘music for the week’ using the Charanga Listening Calendar, and we promote the use of music for learning at any given opportunity, regardless of the subject. By using Kapow, we will ensure that in each lesson pupils will actively participate in musical activities drawn from a range of styles and traditions, developing their musical skills and their understanding of how music works. Children are expected to be active learners as lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies, from independent tasks, paired and group work, as well as improvisation and teacher-led performances. Lessons are ‘hands-on’ and incorporate movement and dance elements as well as making cross-curricular links with other areas of learning. Weekly lessons are enhanced with weekly singing assemblies and various concerts and performances. At Instow, performance plays a vital part of our musical education. We have 2 productions a year (Christmas and Summer) where children learn scripts and lyrics (everyone a reader), Carols Around the Tree and Singing Festivals and other performances at the Devon Music Hub throughout the year, when children are able to connect with others through collaborative vocal performances, supporting our children to become confident communicators.

Impact

Assessment: The impact of music at Instow is measured through • Regular formative and summative assessment opportunities,

• discussions with pupils,

• photo and recorded evidence of practical learning

• the uptake of music after-school clubs and 1-1 teaching of instruments.

Outcomes: Through the use of Kapow, Charanga and BBC Ten Pieces, children will:

• Become confident performers, composers and listeners.

• Be able to express themselves musically in school and out of school

• Be able to show an appreciation and respect for a wide range of musical styles from around the world

Understand the ways in which music can be written down to support performing and composing activities

• Demonstrate their joy and passion for music, identifying their own musical preferences

• Meet the end of Key Stage expectations as outlines in the National Curriculum for music.