Music

INTENTION

 At Chelsfield Primary School, our music curriculum intends to inspire creativity, self-expression and to encourage our children on their musical journeys as well as giving them opportunities to connect with others. We hope to foster a lifelong love of music by exposing them to diverse musical experiences and igniting a passion for music. By listening and responding to different musical styles, finding their voices as singers, performers and as composers, all will enable them to become confident, reflective musicians.

IMPLEMENTATION

The music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the classroom activities as well as the weekly singing assemblies, various concerts and performances and the learning of instruments. Through the musical program Charanga, teachers are able to produce inclusive lessons for all children to access the musical curriculum in a fun and engaging way, further promoting a love of learning. Teachers deliver music following the Charanga programme, designed specifically for the teaching of music in primary schools. Charanga lessons are planned in sequences to provide children with the opportunities to review, remember, deepen and apply their understanding. The elements of music are taught in classroom lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to dissect it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed. In the classroom children learn how to play the recorder and the Glockenspiel.  Playing various instruments enables children to use a range of methods to create notes, as well as how to read basic music notation. They also learn how to compose, focusing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music. Composing or performing using body percussion and vocal sounds is also part of the curriculum, which develops the understanding of musical elements without the added complexity of an instrument.

Wherever possible, pupils at Chelsfield are encouraged to perform. In our weekly singing assembly, children learn a variety of songs, both traditional and popular.  Bi-weekly we have an ‘open-mic’ singing assembly.  Here pupils can showcase their talents and develop their self-confidence singing assemblies are a chance to unite the whole school community through singing. With a half an hour of corporate music-making, the benefits are numerous. Children develop a sense of belonging to a wider community. There are boosts to pupils' emotional wellbeing, staff wellbeing and morale as well.

IMPACT

Music enables children to develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to children individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world. Children are able to enjoy music in as many ways as they choose – either as listener, creator or performer. Children have the opportunity to discuss and share their own thoughts, opinions and ideas, acknowledging and respecting that these may vary and that this is positive. They can dissect music and comprehend its parts. They can sing and feel a pulse.  At Chelsfield Primary, we aim to enable our children to use the universal language of music within a high quality musical education that promotes the love of music and use of talent in a variety of contexts.

At Christmas a Carol Service is held at St. Martin’s when all children are encouraged to perform

Weekly singing assembly - a mix of popular and traditional songs - at times linked to RE and MFL curriculum. There are different clubs which meet at lunchtimes, including our popular singing club.

Performances in recent years have included the ‘Young Voices’ concert at the O2.