Our music programme is taught to all pupils by a specialist teacher. Starting with the basics of beat and rhythm in Reception, the programme builds up to a fuller understanding of notation and theory by Year 6. Each year-group has an instrument – whether tin whistle, recorder, ukulele or drums – on which to experiment and practise while following the course and will usually perform for parents at the end of the year. They develop an understanding of musical composition, organising and manipulating ideas within musical structures and reproducing sounds from aural memory. They are taught to appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality music drawn from different traditions and composers and musicians, as well as developing a knowledge of musical history.
In addition to whole class lessons, private instrumental music lessons are available in (at present) piano, guitar, violin, singing and drums. Termly music assemblies and Friday ‘tea concerts’ provide the opportunity for musicians to perform in front of an audience.
Children also have the opportunity to perform in a choir or orchestra. We have three choirs rehearsing every term and performances take place at Christmas and at the end of the year. The repertoire is varied and enjoyable and for many it is the easiest and least stressful way of getting up on stage!
The ability to speak well in public is a highly prized skill and we want all of our pupils to have a go at taking the stage. There are many such opportunities: the poetry challenge, House Day, reading match and trip reports, the form assembly and the LAMDA assembly, the Nativity play and the three other plays we perform each year. PGP children traditionally rise to these challenges and quickly develop the poise and confidence to capture an audience’s attention.
English lessons routinely incorporate drama – this is a key way of bringing text to life. Many children will also take individual LAMDA lessons and our record of Merits and Distinctions in the associated exams is spectacular.