Music
Music is a powerful, unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act and within St
Agnes’, it is highly valued. Not only are the children provided with a varied and progressive curriculum, they have
opportunities to develop their abilities and love for Music further with extra-curricular activities.
Intent:
‘A high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as
musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.’ Department of
Education, National Curriculum
St Agnes’ aim for Music is to ensure that all pupils:
• can enjoy singing, listening to and playing music in school and in front of an audience
• develop their confidence in the areas of performance and composition and to reach their full potential
• are supported in the Catholic ethos of the school through music at Mass and in assemblies
• are given access to the full music curriculum regardless of gender, ethnicity or cultural background.
Implementation:
Teachers recognise that pupils have differing musical abilities and employ a variety of teaching styles. Children
work in small or large groups, in pairs and as individuals. Works that children compose are celebrated through
performance or quality displays.
Our curriculum is centred around ‘Charanga’, a music-based scheme, in which the children learn to sing and play
instruments. We are following their new Model Music Curriculum scheme in Years 1, 2, 4 and 6. Where Year’s 3
and 5 have Music lessons delivered by the Gateshead Music Department. They also have an opportunity to
develop an understanding of pulse, rhythm and notation.
Children sing together in their weekly assemblies. In addition to this Foundation and KS1 have a weekly lesson of
15- 20 minutes and other short music sessions to enjoy rhymes and rhythms. KS2 have a weekly lesson of
between 20 and 30 minutes, focusing on listening and appraising, and performing and composing.
Children are encouraged to compose and perform together in class. They develop their performance and
composition skills working in groups and also develop their listening and appraising skills by learning to provide
considered feedback when they are the audience for another group. Pupils practise their skills on the wide variety
of tuned and untuned percussion instruments available.
Starting in the Spring term 1 the school will be offering children to join a Choir where they will learn an array of
songs, both popular and religious hymns and get the opportunity to show case their progress at various events
throughout the school year.
Piano tuition is offered from Year 2 upwards, and Guitar tuition is provided through the Gateshead Music Service from Year 5.
Impact:
All children at St Agnes are learning to work both independently and as part of a group, ensuring skills of
resilience and teamwork are promoted in this subject. Children are enthused and engaged in the wide variety
of music activities.
We aim to ensure that our pupils’ attainment is in line with or exceeds age related expectations. Through our
progressive, skill-based curriculum, we are measuring the children’s ability, striving for them to reach their full
potential and to provide opportunities that excite and inspire a thirst for knowledge and participation in this
subject.
