Music
At Valley, we aim to provide all pupils with a high-quality music curriculum which inspires a life-long love of music and supports the development of confident, creative, imaginative young musicians. Via the Charanga programme, our pupils are provided with opportunities for self-expression via vocal and instrumental performance, composition and improvisation.
At its basis, our music curriculum is broken down into three Threshold Concepts, each of which is developed and strengthened throughout pupils’ time at Valley. These Threshold Concepts are then promoted, taught and challenged through the Charanga Music Programme which ensures a consistent, high quality music education within the Valley curriculum.
Appraise and Compare - To actively listen and evaluate within a range of musical activities.
Compose -To draw upon musical inspiration and combine sounds to create music.
Perform - To understand that music is created to be performed.
The Valley Vision:
- Appraise and Compare – Pupils will develop an appreciation of a wide variety of music from different styles, cultures and time periods. Through their time at Valley, they will develop a musical vocabulary enabling them to confidently express their preferences and musical choices. We will inspire our pupils to develop an enjoyment of music which will sustain through their lives.
- Create and Compose – Pupils will have a wide range of opportunities to explore and express their thoughts, feelings and experiences through the musical medium in a range of ways. Pupils will be inspired by our curriculum drivers through their music, encouraging them to work as an ensemble with their peers to create inspiring, ambitious compositions.
- Performance
Instrument - Pupils will have access to both pitched and unpitched musical instruments which both engage with their interests and experiences as well as challenging them to explore beyond the familiar. Pupils will have the opportunity to compose, rehearse and perform both collectively and individually, as well as having the opportunity to assess other performances.
Singing - Pupils will take part in weekly singing assemblies to learn songs from a wide range of different cultural genres, understand significant lyrics and also develop the love of being part of collective music making. Pupils will learn musical form as part of song evaluation, which will enhance musical composition.
Teaching and Learning
Our aim is to make music an enjoyable and inspiring learning experience. To do this we must commit to providing teachers with opportunities to develop their practice and build confidence which enrich, compliment and extend their teaching practice. Through consistent, high-quality teaching, pupils will learn to sing and perform tuned and untuned instruments. We will teach them to appraise and compare a wide range of musical styles and genres considering composition, structure and dynamics. They will use these skills to compose music alone and in an ensemble.
Inclusion
Music has the power to bring people together in a way like no other art form. The curriculum at Valley has the capacity to be differentiated and adapted to reach all pupils, yet also gives all pupils the opportunity to take part in and experience music with their peers. We will continue to train staff to be sensitive to the needs of our pupils as well as the challenges they may face, helping them to overcome barriers to musical inclusion.
The Foundation Stage
In the foundation stage, we recognise music is an integral part of children’s development. Pupils relate to a range of aspects of their Early Learning Goals through music. They are supported in their personal and social development through the songs they learn; fostering a love of music and performance.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development
Music moves us, for some emotionally, for some, spiritually. We encourage pupils to use music to help effect their mood and senses as well as help them tune in with their emotions and reflect on the world around them. We believe it is vital to give pupils opportunities to experience music from diverse cultures, nurturing an interest, curiosity and positive attitude towards the beliefs and societies of others.
Resources
High quality music resources are in use across the school. Staff and students have enough resources available to be able to select age and ability appropriate instruments and resources, both physical and digital. Foundation stage are provided with their own selection of musical instruments for classroom use. Within the rest of the school, there is an easily accessible central area in which available instruments are stored. Pupils can access instrument hire through the BYMT, and those pupils who receive Pupil Premium are made aware of the free instrument hire available to them.
