Intent

The national curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music
• Learn to sing and use their voices
• Create and compose music
• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated

At Bounds Green School we recognise Music as a universal language that has the power to bring people together. Our objective is for children to develop a love of music through singing, performing, composing and listening to a wide range of musical styles and genres.  Our intent is that Music is creative, collaborative, celebratory and challenging. We aim to deliver an engaging, ambitious and bespoke curriculum which connects with, and enhances, other subject areas. We are committed to ensuring that children know Music belongs to all of us and every student has the opportunity to experience the joy of music-making.

Implementation

The music curriculum nurtures and develops musical techniques and skills from EYFS to KS2. It ensures that all children sing, listen, compose, play and perform. This is embedded in classroom activities as well as weekly singing assemblies, concerts, performances and the learning of instruments. Class teachers use elements of the Charanga music programme combined with carefully selected repertoire which links subjects and themes across the curriculum. The inter-related dimensions of music are taught so children are able to use some of the language of music to analyse, understand and enjoy a rich diet of musical learning.

Singing

As well as singing activities in the classroom, children at Bounds Green have weekly singing assemblies delivered by a specialist singing teacher. In these assemblies, children learn to use their voices expressively and creatively by singing songs and speaking chants and rhymes. They develop the ability to use their voices with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression.

Listening

Listening to music is fundamental to musical understanding. During weekly music lessons with their class teachers, children learn to listen with curiosity and concentration to a wide range of music drawn from different traditions and from great composers and musicians. The curriculum ensures that the music the children explore links and connects to other areas of their learning. These strong links enhance and enrich their knowledge and by actively listening to, and engaging with, music from different genres and cultures, the children gain a solid aural foundation.

Composing

Throughout their time at school, students have the opportunity to experiment, improvise and compose using tuned and untuned instruments. Children learn to improvise and compose imaginatively, developing the ability to create rhythms and melodies. As with listening, students’ improvisations and compositions are informed and inspired by other areas of learning. Pupils also learn to recognise and invent graphic notation and understand it can represent created sounds.

Performing/Instrumental performance

There are regular opportunities to celebrate, share and perform music at Bounds Green. Children are given frequent opportunities to explore and play, tuned and untuned instruments. In Year 4, all children learn either violin, clarinet, trumpet or guitar with specialist teachers during weekly whole class instrumental teaching. Children can continue to learn their WCIT instrument in Year 5 and 6 in small groups. Students increase their stage confidence and enjoyment through performing at assemblies, concerts and performances. These have also included events at prestigious venues like the Royal Albert Hall. Parents and carers can book 1:1 music tuition on a variety of instruments provided by specialist teachers through Haringey Music Service.

Impact

Children at Bounds Green are inspired and excited by Music. They develop into confident, creative musicians who experience a rich and inclusive palette of musical learning. Through singing, listening, composing and performing music they have an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to themselves and their place in the world. Students know they are musical: they are able to sing and feel a pulse. They can listen critically to music and can respond in an informed and confident manner. The children at Bounds Green have the opportunity to play and perform together and experience the sheer joy of music-making, ensuring they develop a life-long enjoyment of Music.

Individual Music Instrumental Tuition

One to one music tuition on a variety of instruments is available for children at Bounds Green during the school day. Lessons are held in our afterschool club room, but are provided through Haringey Council. Parents who wish to enrol their child in the music program should contact the Haringey Music Service (HMS). Apply early, as waiting lists are common for most instruments.  Click here to reach their web page.

Music Curriculum Detailed Overview 2021-22