What is your vision for your subject at Hollymount School?
In Music, children at Hollymount School have the opportunity to develop a love and understanding of music through a curriculum which is supported by Kapow Primary. Throughout their musical education, the children will cover 5 identified strands which run throughout the schemes of work: performing, listening, composing, the history of music; and inter-related dimensions of music (pulse, pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure, appropriate musical notation). The music curriculum at our school offers a cyclical approach, whereby pupils return to the same skills and knowledge throughout their education which enables them to develop depth in an area, as well as using prior knowledge to support.
Alongside taught music lessons by class teachers, we also works closely with Severn Arts who provide external music lessons to years 4 and 5 with whole class sessions in chosen instruments such as cornets and ukuleles.
Staff also provide after school clubs such as choir and music club to provide further opportunities for children to enhance their musical skills, knowledge and experiences. Our school choir are often in demand and perform for local community centres and charities as well as taking part in regional events such as Young Voices.
At Hollymount School children will:
· experience music lessons led by school staff as well as external music teachers as they progress throughout the school.
· be immersed in music throughout the curriculum, which is adapted to suit the needs of all.
· have opportunities to experience a diverse range of music from different eras, genres and cultures, encouraging respect for their peers, community and the world.
By experiencing a broad music curriculum, our children will flourish and grow, leaving our school feeling proud of their musical achievements. By having opportunities to perform to an audience in both school assemblies and public performances; to participate in focused music lessons led by school staff and external providers; and being immersed in a wide variety of music, the children will learn vital life skills such as creativity, perseverance and confidence which will help them in their future careers and professions.
Research links
The National Curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:
· Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians
· Learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence
· Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.
Pupil Feedback
“We sing lots of English songs but some are from Poland too.” Reception
“We listened to calm music and drew what we thought the sound was like. I drew the sea with eagles on the top. The music sounded like water splashes.” Y1
“It makes me happy when people sing” Y3
“Music opens up your feelings and lets people express themselves.” Y5
‘We have learnt about different composers – some British, some from other countries.’ Y6