This is a Good School

Ofsted says "Pupils are highly engaged and enjoy learning"

Teaching is good

"Teachers are expert in the subjects they teach."

Governance is strong

"Adults share an in depth understanding of the latest safeguarding risks that pupils may face."

Pupils achieve well

"Provision for children in the early years is particularly strong."

Pupils' behaviour is good

"Behaviour in lessons is excellent. Children are kind."

Teaching is good

"Assessment is used well. There is a huge array of activities on offer."

Curriculum design is inspiring

"The curriculum is coherent and well sequenced."

Pupils achieve well

"Leaders and staff are united in their ambition for pupils to succeed."

Pupils' behaviour is good

"The high-quality relationships between staff and pupils contribute to a positive learning culture."

Music

Download: National Curriculum Music

Download: Music whole school overview

Curriculum Intent

At Leighterton Primary School, we believe that every child is entitled to a strong musical education and we strive to make the subject an integral part of school life. We recognise the many benefits of music, from academic improvements and increased creativity, to building life skills such as concentration, team work, communication and a sense of responsibility and commitment. Our intention is for children to gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. We strive to develop a curiosity for and enjoyment of the subject, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the validity and importance of all types of music. We are committed to ensuring that children understand the value and importance of music to both the individual and to the wider community. Our overall aim is to enable the children to use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves musically in a variety of different contexts. Music is not just for school, music is for life.

At Leighterton, we follow The National Curriculum which aims to ensure that all pupils:
• Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music
• Be taught to sing, create and compose music
• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated.

Implementation

Our music curriculum ensures that children sing, listen, play, compose, perform and evaluate as part of every unit that is taught. This is embedded throughout discrete classroom lessons, as well as weekly singing assemblies, various concerts and performances, the learning of instruments or through joining one of our extra-curricular ensembles.

In Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), as part of Expressive Arts and Design, music is taught both discretely and incidentally. As part of classroom lessons, children listen and respond to a range of music to develop their musical vocabulary, their sense of rhythm and appreciation of sound and how it can be changed. Throughout the year, they build a wide repertoire of familiar songs. During self-initiated play, children have access to a range of musical instruments which they are encouraged to explore independently.

Across Key Stages 1 and 2, each term, teachers plan a sequence of lessons based on our school’s spiral progression, with prior learning being revisited each term and built on across the year groups. In addition to this, music is incorporated across the curriculum through topic based songs and dance.

Throughout each sequence of lessons, children are taught:

  • Listening and Appraising
  • Dimensions of music
  • Singing
  • Playing Instruments
  • Improvisation
  • Composing

In Lower Key Stage 2, children learn to play an instrument through a series of whole class sessions. By the end of Key Stage 2, children will have an understanding of formal musical notation as well as a variety of ways to record their own musical ideas.  In order to expand their cultural capital, pupils are exposed to a range of music from established composers and encouraged to discuss their own musical preferences.

Enjoyment and mental well-being is at the heart of our music curriculum. 

Impact

Having followed our music curriculum, children will leave Leighterton with the knowledge, skills and experience to participate confidently in a range of musical contexts. Most importantly, we want our children to enjoy music, in as many ways as they choose – as a listener, composer or performer.

As children become more skilled in music, they will become more independent and develop key life skills such as, self-expression, creativity, problem solving and communication.

Through assessment, the teaching team are able to identify whether children have met the expected outcomes by the end of the year. Due to the nature of our spiral curriculum, any children who have not met the expected outcomes will receive extra support as part of the next sequence of lessons. Our expectations are high and we aim to equip children to use music throughout their lives both academically and socially.

Ridge Class composing their own music inspired by Gustav Holst’s Planets’ Suite.