Intent

As a school, we are passionate about the teaching, learning and assessment of music. Music plays an important and consistent part in the life of the children. At Clowne Junior School, we aim to teach high quality music lessons that engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music to help increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement as musicians.  As pupils progress through the school, they should develop skills within music, allowing them to compose and perform with an increased awareness of the steps and skills involved within this process.  We wish to give every child the opportunity to experience and enjoy music through a variety of fun and engaging opportunities. We also aim to promote pupils’ social, cultural, spiritual and global development through music. 

Implementation

We are currently using the SingUp Music Scheme to ensure that all children across the school are developing key musical skills, including:

• Listening and appraising
• Singing and playing instruments
• Composition
• Improvisation
• Performing and sharing

The scheme allows us to explore a wide range of musical genres, carefully tailored to suit the age and stage of each year group. It also supports confident musicians by offering differentiated tasks within each lesson, helping to provide challenge and progression.

Throughout their time at school, children will also have access to additional musical opportunities to inspire and extend their learning. These include whole-school singing assemblies, performances, and enrichment activities. Each year, pupils in Years 5 and 6 are invited to take part in the Young Voices choir, giving them the chance to perform in a large-scale concert alongside thousands of other children — a truly unforgettable experience!

Impact

Our Music curriculum ensures all pupils develop the essential skills outlined in the National Curriculum. Pupils will:

• listen to and identify a range of musical styles and instruments using appropriate vocabulary;
• understand and demonstrate how pulse and rhythm work together;
• sing confidently in an ensemble with clear diction, accurate pitch and awareness of how parts fit together;
• use a variety of instruments to improvise, compose and perform both solo and in groups;
• develop critical listening skills to evaluate their own work and that of others.

Children are assessed termly against age-related expectations. Ongoing assessment takes place through questioning, lesson observations and musical recordings. The subject leader monitors progress through weekly lessons, learning walks and data analysis across the year.

Music at Clowne Junior School