How is Music taught at this school?

INTENT

At Stoke Damerel Primary Academy, every Music lesson builds on knowledge, skills and understanding from previous lessons and prior learning. Lessons are taught in a logical progression, systematically and explicitly enough for all pupils to acquire the intended knowledge and skills. Lessons follow a recognisable sequence that is pertinent to the International Primary Curriculum and moves learning forward. The I.P.C topics are linked to the English curriculum, enabling strong cross-curricular links to be formed. Reading is a focus to ensure all children can access all areas of Music. All children, including the most disadvantaged pupils, the most able pupils and pupils with SEND receive the same challenge within the same broad curriculum. Children develop their vocabulary and knowledge in the subjects they learn. Children’s long-term memory is developed to ensure they remember the key facts and information for each unit of learning or topic. Through the use of ‘Flashback’ recall starters, knowledge organisers and end-of-unit quizzes, children actively pertain the Golden Nuggets of key information from their prior learning.

IMPLEMENTATION

All lessons are planned using high quality and appropriate resources, using excellent subject knowledge. The I.P.C curriculum follows a sequence of mapped out objectives, incorporating the knowledge, skills and understanding required to fully meet the National Curriculum (2014). Children are equipped to

• 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

All lessons contain challenging, relevant vocabulary to extend children’s word banks. We encourage children to note connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the correct use of Music terms. Teachers employ a wide range of AfL strategies to support all learners and check pupils’ understanding (used to identify and correct misconceptions and to inform future teaching). Teachers use assessment to help pupils embed and use knowledge fluently.

IMPACT

At SDPA, we believe the study of Music through the I.P.C makes a valuable contribution to children’s understanding of all aspects of life giving them a sense of international identity and heritage as well as fostering a tolerance and respect for the cultures and peoples represented in the past. Well-constructed and well-taught Music lessons lead to good results because those results reflect what children have learned. All learning builds towards clearly defined exit points. Children will be able to recall a variety of musical styles, musicians and their areas of expertise (composing or performing), both first-hand and from secondary sources. All pupils will be able to present their understanding, findings, interpretations and opinions through speaking, writing, computing and a variety of artistic media.