Music
Music Curriculum at Orchard Fields
At Orchard Fields Community, we learn music through playing, singing, creating and performing, we develop confidence, communication skills, thinking and creative skills and improve our emotional well-being
Intent
At Orchard Fields, we aim for children to develop a range of musical skills by providing them with a rich and diverse music curriculum. Through listening, singing, playing, composing, analysing and evaluating a variety of music across different historical periods, genres and styles, children will gain a strong understanding and curiosity of the subject. We believe it is important that children feel they can use music as a way to express themselves and all children should have access to these experiences. SEND children are encouraged to actively participate and develop musical creativity as music can often be a curriculum area which allows them to excel. We are dedicated to ensuring children recognise the value and importance of music in wider communities and leave school with an appreciation for music, and a range of experiences that guarantee a life-long love of music.
Implementation
Music at Orchard Fields is taught by the class teachers, and is shown through progression across each year group. The subject is taught discretely through the scheme ‘Sing-up’. Although this has very structured lessons that ensure curriculum objectives are met, teachers may adapt lessons to suit the thematic approach to learning our school has adopted, to be cross-curricular. We highlight the importance of knowing correct musical vocabulary, so children are able to comment and reflect on pieces of music using the correct terminology. The current curriculum emphasises the use of body percussion and vocal sounds, which helps children develop an understanding of all musical elements without the necessary addition of a musical instrument.
During early years, children receive rich opportunities to explore music through listening, thinking about feelings provoked and responding through movement. Children will also be able to create their own musical sounds, using instruments, voices and body percussion. This will further support development of motor skills.
As children move into KS1 and begin the Primary National Curriculum, there is a push for exploratory learning through play and practical learning. This is no different for music, as children learn to listen carefully with concentration for periods of time, and respond through movement. They will receive opportunities to play instruments and develop control, leading to success, and begin to sing a variety of melodies from memory.
In KS2, children increase confidence and skill through playing and singing, with an awareness of how their contribution adds the whole class or group performance. They create their own musical compositions in response to a musical stimulus, improvise with increasing independence and creativity, and respond to range of musical styles from different times, cultures and contexts.
Performance is a key part of teaching and learning music at Orchard Fields, and pupils participate in a range of performances across their school journey, as well as weekly singing assemblies. These include Christmas performances (separate for EYFS, KS1 and KS2), Easter performance (years 3 and 4) and a Leavers performance (year 6). We also involve ourselves in the wider community by participating in performances set up by Banbury Rotary Club.
