Intent

At Manor Farm Junior School we hope to foster a lifelong love of music by providing our children with an engaging music curriculum and wide ranging extra curricular opportunities. We know that music is a unique way of communicating that can inspire and motivate children. It is a vehicle for personal expression, creativity and it can play an important part in the personal development of good citizens. Music will also develop their understanding of culture and history, both in relation to students individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world. By listening and responding to different musical styles, finding their voices as singers and performers and as composers, all will enable them to become confident, reflective learners. 

‘Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity’ (The National Curriculum)

The teaching of Music enables children develops the children as an individual, as well as a musician as it:

• Enhances their listening skills 
• Develops the ability to concentrate
• Explores creativity
• Increases self confidence in their own abilities
• Creates their own opinions and form beliefs
• Develops their ability to work as part of a group, whether that be a small group or the larger school community
• Express themselves 
• Be sensitive towards the likes and dislikes of others
• Aid memory
• Increase coordination

Implementation

At Manor Farm Junior School we promote high quality music sessions through the use of Charanga. This programme was developed by music specialists to ensure clear progression and consistency throughout the school. We ensure that all children in the school are given the opportunity to take part in these lessons, develop their own abilities through exploration of rhythm, beat, pitch, tone, pulse and develop creativity through song and the use of musical instruments.

The National Curriculum for Music education 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 interrelated dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics tempo, timbre, texture, structure and musical notations

Our music curriculum ensures students sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. The elements of music are taught in classroom lessons so that children are able to use the language of music to discuss it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed.

In the classroom students learn how to play various un-tuned and tuned percussion instruments and as a class in Year 4 and Year 6 the ukulele. In Year 4/5 children work alongside Bucks Music Trust to learn a musical instrument. Children spend the first few weeks learning about the instrument they are going to play and also have a chance to practice the notes and rhythm. Children learn notation, and are offered the chance to perform in front of peers and the school.  Children are then provided with a musical instrument that they loan for six months, this allows children to take the instrument home and practice. Within classroom lessons children also learn how to compose focussing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or critiquing music. 

Within our weekly singing assemblies: children develop their abilities to sing and use their voices individually and in a group; listen to, review and evaluate the work of great composers and musicians from a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions including classical, jazz, hip hop, pop and rock; make judgements about the quality of music and have different opportunities to take part in performances.

At Manor Farm we also provided the children the opportunity to participate in collaborative concerts at the O2 arena, London: the amazing Royal Albert Hall and more locally as a part of Energize at the Wycombe Swan theatre. These opportunities empower the children with the chance to develop their confidence, self-motivation, and ability to work as part of a team - which is invaluable! Our much looked forward to weekly singing assemblies provide the children with the opportunity to experience a range of music, reflect on their personal preferences and further develop their love of music.

Peripatetic lessons are also taught outside of the Music lesson and children are offered the opportunity to learn drumming, guitar and through the company Rock Steady the chance to come together to create their own ‘rock’ group. If you would like more information on how your child could become a member of a rock band please look at the document below.