At Tanfield Lea Community Primary we believe we are preparing children to study music to a high standard, as well as giving children the opportunity to develop a lifelong love of music. Our children’s mixed starting points are at the forefront of our music planning which provides building blocks for learning and development for all of our children.
Music is studied in six half-term units across all year groups from Early Years to Year 6. From the beginning of school life in Early Years and throughout school children are immersed in an enriched musical environment (music is used to build positive relationships, independence, resilience and communication), preparing them to begin their musical learning journey, which is both challenging and progressive, working towards the National Curriculum goals.
Learning music well enables children to develop many transferable skills, they become: great communicators, leaders, critical thinkers, self-disciplined and team players who are well organised individuals. These skills enable children to realise their career goals as: teachers, musicians, performers, producers, and artist managers.
We want children to grow in independence, resilience and confidence, and become expressive individuals, who can listen to and appreciate music, create their own music and be able to play a variety of instruments for pleasure. The skills gained through studying music will ‘open doors’ throughout their lives, as performing develops confidence and self-esteem. Their lives will be ‘enriched’ through developing a love of music.
The key terms of music are developed from EYFS to KS2, with listening, singing, performing, composing, improvising and playing being recurrent themes.
Topics are organised around the school’s Music Progression Planning document. This allows children to study a range of key skills, which are developed and mastered, through teacher formative assessment during the lesson, inspiring them to become confident musicians. Lessons engage the children and scaffolding is provided to make lessons accessible for all.
The curriculum is enriched (developing children’s Cultural Capital) through opportunities for the children to perform in school, at church, in the choir, and at the Gala Theatre. Musicians work with the children on a weekly basis across the school and every child is given the opportunity to play untuned (EY-KS2) and tuned (KS2) instruments. The school is committed to music for all and uses the Pupil Premium to fund music tuition for disadvantaged children. Children also enjoy yearly performances from a Brass Band and experience live music when visiting the theatre. They are exposed to a wide variety of music from all musical periods throughout their time in school through class lessons and music in assemblies.
Subject Coordinators evaluate if children are working at the required standard by closely working with teachers to ensure the key skills, vocabulary and knowledge are taught and retained (from the Music Progression Planning Document). This builds on children’s skills taught in Early Years and develops these through new and exciting opportunities to sing and play music whilst learning about music history and its performers and composers.
Subject Area Progression Map
Subject Area Progression Map – Music
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