Why is Music important?

Through music, we are provided with a powerful universal language which helps promote unity, enables us to process and express our emotions and fuels our imagination.

Music is important in developing individual discipline, focus and memory.

Whether we are singing, playing, or listening, we develop our aural discrimination through music, which is an important part of communication and literacy.

When is Music taught?

Music is taught through thematic units, both through Skills Development Tasks and through learning which then apply those skills. The Satellite View maps out which thematic units feature this subject and clearly shows the objectives taught.

How is Music taught?

Music is taught through a combination of subject knowledge and composing, performing, listening and appraising skills. Learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom.

Who do we learn about in Music?

We learn about a range of famous composers from history, such as J.S. Bach, Ludwig Van Beethoven and Rimsky-Korsakov.

We also learn about more contemporary composers, such as Andrew Lloyd-Webber.

What do we learn about in Music?

We learn about the following:

Notation

Graphic scores

Signs and symbols

Soundscapes

Sound effects

 

Singing

Sea shanties

Folk songs

National anthems

Slave songs

Battle chants

War songs

Cyclic patterns

Instrument families

Evolution of instruments

African music, including drumming

Celtic music

Hannukah music

Jingles

Film music

Musicals

Inuit throat singing

How do we assess and monitor Music?

Class teachers update an assessment grid after each theme (6 weeks) or each competency or essentials unit (3 weeks). This is used by class teachers to plan next steps. The Music leader monitors this to identify areas of strength and where development is required through school. The Music leader then plans appropriate next steps, including CPD for staff, and uses the data to create the action plan where necessary.

Music Development

Each year, schools are expected to publish their Music Development Plan, as set out in the national plan for music education. This plan will be updated as a summary before the start of each new academic year. The plan aims to:

• raise awareness of their music development plan
• promote the school music offer to parents and prospective parents
• give greater opportunity for schools and music hubs to work together