At Heytesbury C of E Primary School, children gain a clear understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, appraising, and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. We are committed to developing a curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding and recognition of the validity and importance of all types of music, and an respect for the role that music may wish to be expressed in people’s lives. We aim to ensure children understand the value and importance of music in the wider community and are able to use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts. We recognise and value the place of music in society, in our understanding of (and engagement with) all cultures and beliefs, and in the power of music in expressing joy, faith, optimism and love.
The music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is supported in the classroom through the structured music schemes as well as the weekly singing worship. The elements of music are taught in the classroom lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to analyse it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and studied.
As part of the curriculum we also have an individual instrumental focus with children learning to play the recorder and the ukulele. This enables the children to contextually develop their musical skills. They also learn how to compose, focusing on different scopes of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music. Composing or performing is also part of the curriculum, which develops the understanding of musical elements.
As a church school we aim to develop the children's understanding of music as a feature of worship. Throughout the year we have events linking to the church calendar that the children learn about. They also learn and perform songs relating to these events.
Whilst in school, children have access to a varied programme, which allows them to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. The central nature of music and the learner creates an enormously rich palette from which a child may access central abilities such as: achievement, self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others, and self-reflection. Music will also develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to children individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world. Children are able to enjoy music in as many ways as they choose – either as listener, designer or performer. They can analyse music and understand its parts. They can sing and feel a rhythm. They have an understanding of how to further develop talents less known to them, should they ever develop an interest in their lives.