Kerr Mackie Primary School

Intent

The music curriculum at Kerr Mackie Primary school focuses on developing the skills, knowledge and understanding that children need to become confident performers, composers and listeners. We want children to develop a love of music as well as provide opportunities outside of the classroom for them to develop their skills further. Our curriculum introduces children to music from around the world and develops an understanding of the history and cultural context of the music they listen to. We want children to develop transferable skills such as team-working, leadership, creative thinking, problem solving, presentation and performance skills that can be applied across the curriculum and in life outside of school.

 

Implementation

At Kerr Mackie, students receive a weekly music lesson taught using the Charanga scheme of work. The Charanga Musical Scheme provides a spiral progression of skills for our students and supports all requirements of the National Curriculum. Over the course of the scheme, children will be taught how to sing fluently and expressively, and play tuned and untuned instruments accurately and with control. Students will learn how to recognise and name the interrelated dimensions of music (Musical Elements) - pitch, duration, tempo, timbre, structure, texture and dynamics - and use these expressively in their own improvisations and compositions. Each unit of work culminates in a performance, allowing teachers to assess students’ musical learning in the classroom. These small and large group musical performances also allow students to peer assess using the Musical Elements to reason and provide feedback.  

Outside of the classroom, students are provided with the opportunity to learn the guitar and woodwind instruments in small group lessons. Other extracurricular activities such as Music Tech Club, further provide students an opportunity to explore and develop their love of music.

 

Impact

Through our teaching of a varied and engaging music curriculum, we expect students at Kerr Mackie to develop a love of music that they can explore inside and outside of school. We expect children to:

  • Become confident performers.
  • Show an appreciation and respect for a wide range of musical styles.
  • Understand the ways in which music can be written down to support performing and composing.
  • Demonstrate and articulate an enthusiasm for music and be able to identify their own personal musical preferences.
  • Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the national curriculum for Music.

The impact of the Music curriculum will be measured through teacher assessment, learning walks, and pupil voice, as well as the many musical performances and opportunities that take place throughout the school calendar.