Our Curriculum Vision for Music
‘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 with discrimination to the best in the musical canon’.
Music at Woodstone
Music is an integral part of school life here at Woodstone, we recognise that music increases emotional wellbeing and confidence. We aim to provide a sense of enjoyment and a positive attitude that inspires pupils to develop a love and appreciation of music. From the beginning, children develop skills in singing, playing instruments and creating their own music. We celebrate the work of famous composers and musicians and embed an appreciation and understanding of different traditions. Every child learns to play tuned instruments as well as un-tuned percussion, so that they become experienced in making music and develop their skills in decoding musical notation. We give opportunities to perform solo and group pieces in class in assemblies and in seasonal productions, in order to encourage and celebrate individual talent and to foster confident performers.
What's new in Music?
This year we have introduced and implemented the Music Spine throughout all year groups. Based on the Model Music Curricuulum, each year group have a set genre of music (traditional and popular) that they listen to. They research the artist and style of music, become familiar with discussing music using technical terms and learn to articulate how it makes them feel. By the time the children reach the end of Year Six, they will have knowledge of pop music, blues, rock n roll, funk, disco, jazz, 80s synth, 90s RnB and musical traditions from Indonesia, India, Africa, Trinidad, England, Nigeria, Argentina and the Middle East.
We have also begun to develop and share a love of music between staff and pupils. Every month a member of staffs Desert Island Disc list is shared with the children in assembly. We want the children to understand how music has an impact on all of our lives, how it brings back memories, creates new ones and supports us emotionally. The children also have the opportunity to create their own Desert Island Disc list and are displayed alongside the staff.
Subject Priorities
Hand Bells - This year, we want to provide further opportunities for our younger children to play an instrument alongside Recorders in Year Two/Three and Ukuele in Year Four. We will be purchasing a set of hand bells, where the children can learn to follow colour coded graphic notation and develop their performance skills.
Wider opportunities – As our musical skills develop we would like our talents to be shared with our local community. We will be performing at school events, at larger occasions such as Young Voices and will get involved with opportunities provided by Leicestershire Music Hub.
Mrs Christina Leaney
Music Subject Lead
I have the pleasure of being Music Lead at Woodstone. I enjoy musical theatre and listening to many genres of music. I think music is an important part of the curriculum - making, listenening and performing music are vital and help to develop many life skills. I strongly believe music is great for wellbeing, it evokes all kinds of emotions and in class can be used to help keep us calm and focussed. If you have any questions about Music at Woodstone, please do not hesitate to contact me via the school office.
