Music development plan summary: Pilgrim Academy

Overview

This is a summary of how our school delivers music education to all our pupils across three areas – curriculum music, co-curricular provision and musical experiences – and what changes we are planning in future years. This information is to help pupils and parents or carers understand what our school offers and who we work with to support our pupils’ music education.

Part A: Curriculum music

This is about what we teach in lesson time, how much time is spent teaching music and any music qualifications or awards that pupils can achieve.

At Pilgrim Academy, we use the Kapow Primary Music Scheme across the school.

The scheme of work fulfils the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum (2014).

Kapow Primary’s Music scheme is a well-thought-out curriculum that follows key principles to enhance pupils' learning experience. It is designed to be cyclical, allowing pupils to revisit essential skills and knowledge multiple times throughout their primary school years.

The curriculum, which is inclusive for all, focuses on increasing depth, ensuring that each skill or area of knowledge is explored with greater complexity upon revisiting. By revisiting prior knowledge, pupils can build upon their foundations and deepen their understanding of music concepts. This structured approach not only reinforces learning but also fosters a deeper appreciation and mastery of music amongst our children.

1. Our approach focuses on nurturing a lifelong appreciation for music and ensuring that every child can access and enjoy it. Through a well-structured scheme, we guide pupils in performing, listening, composing, and exploring the rich history of music.
2. The clear sequencing and progression allow children to develop essential skills and knowledge to become confident performers, composers, and listeners.
3. They are encouraged to sing, play instruments, improvise, compose, and respond to various musical pieces. Our goal is for children to feel that they are inherently musical and equip them with the necessary tools to express themselves through the universal language of music.
4. In the inclusive music classroom, pupils with additional needs are supported so every pupil can actively participate and make progress in their musical journey. The space and resources available cater to a diverse range of learning styles, ensuring a comprehensive music curriculum for all.
5. We have a range of resources;
   
   
   • large percussion instruments
   • selection of wind instruments
   • glockenspiels
   • keyboards
   • boom whackers
   • Songbooks and Christmas Production packs
   • CDs
   • recorders
   • drums.
   • Turntables
   
   
   
6. Our music curriculum is designed to broaden children's horizons by exposing them to music from diverse cultures and time periods. By exploring a wide range of musical traditions, pupils gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural contexts that shape the music they hear. This approach not only fosters respect and appreciation for different musical styles but also encourages the children to consider various types of music from all communities.
7. In addition to this, and to enhance exposure, each class completes weekly music appreciation sessions where they listen to and discuss a range of songs and genres including classical/ theatrical/ modern day music. We have a focus on listening to classical music and showtune music in our weekly assemblies also. All pieces of music have been pre-selected and follow a two-year cycle, allowing the children to revisit the same song, interpreting it at a deeper understanding every time.

Overall, our music curriculum helps children develop transferable skills such as team-working, leadership, creative thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and presentation and performance skills. Music education not only enhances children's musical abilities but also nurtures essential skills that are valuable in various aspects of their lives. By engaging with music, pupils learn to collaborate, communicate effectively, think creatively, and manage tasks efficiently. These skills empower them to succeed academically and prepare them for the challenges of the future, fostering holistic growth and personal development.

Part B: Co-curricular music

This is about opportunities for pupils to sing and play music, outside of lesson time, including choirs, ensembles and bands, and how pupils can make progress in music beyond the core curriculum.

At Pilgrim Academy we have many opportunities for the children to develop their music skills. Our singing assemblies are a highlight, where pupils engage in learning and performing a diverse selection of songs. With confidence and enthusiasm, the children actively participate in these gatherings, showcasing their growing musical skills.

Via The Music Hub for the Humber Region, we offer our UKS2 children tuition opportunities in brass instruments, building on their learning in year 4. Our hub provides a nurturing environment for young learners to develop their musical skills and discover the joy of creating music, allowing our children to take the instruments home on a ‘loan’ scheme.

Our whole school choir runs after school each week where the children are provided with opportunities to sing for enjoyment and learn to sing in unison. Those in Key stage two are also provided with the opportunity to participate in Young Voices in the spring term, sharing their love for singing with other like-minded children.

Key stage one children can also participate in lunch time boom whacker workshops, providing the younger students the opportunity to understand early rhythm and notation.

Music plays a significant role in our children's education and development. Throughout the year, they eagerly participate in various musical activities, including a Christmas concert, class music performances, and singing in whole school assemblies. These performances are not only a showcase of their talents but also an opportunity for them to build confidence and express themselves creatively. Parents and peers alike get to witness the hard work and dedication that goes into each musical presentation, fostering a sense of community and appreciation for the arts. Through music, our children are able to learn important skills such as teamwork, discipline, and self-expression, enriching their overall educational experience.

Part C: Musical experiences

This is about all the other musical events and opportunities that we organise, such as singing in assembly, concerts and shows, and trips to professional concerts.

Music plays a vital role in our curriculum as children are provided with both planned curriculum time for music as well as additional musical experiences throughout the school year. These experiences are designed to enhance their overall learning and development.

The children of Pilgrim Academy are provided with numerous opportunities to perform, and have exposure to musical activities. Within this academic year, pupils across different key stages will have the opportunity to participate in live musical theatre performances and take part in various musical events like Christmas concerts, nativities, and end-of-year performance. We will continue to perform to the local residential care homes and invite local secondary students in to perform to small groups of children. The school choir will participate in Young Voices and through links within the Hub, our year 5 class will perform in Hull in an operatic performance, Noye’s Fludd in March. Our local community also hosts a free weekly Taiko drumming class. We encourage our children to attend by hosting a demonstration and workshop within school. This comprehensive approach ensures that pupils are actively engaged in music education and have the chance to showcase their talents while contributing to their personal growth and creativity.

We take opportunities to integrate music into various subjects, enabling pupils to apply their musical skills in real-life and academic contexts. For instance, music is an important part of RE and PE lessons, broadening pupils’ understanding and appreciation of music's diverse applications. We also welcome guest speakers and performers to enrich our music curriculum. Through interactions with professionals like Hindu music and dancers, pupils gain insight into different cultural musical traditions.

Our inclusive approach values all musical styles and genres, fostering a welcoming environment for children to explore their interests and talents. Parents and carers play an active role in supporting pupils' musical development, participating in events and encouraging home learning.

In the future

This is about what the school is planning for subsequent years.

8. In the subsequent years to come, our focus in music education will be on enhancing our curriculum. Moreover, we are committed to supporting our staff through continuous professional development to boost their confidence and expertise in music education.

Next year, once a solid base of individual brass players has been established, the year 6 children will be given the opportunity to extend their performance skills by creating a small brass band.

With the support of the PTA we endeavour to provide a whole school opportunity for all children to attend a local pantomime performances at Christmas giving more opportunities to experience- live performances.

Steps to create a partnership with another local primary school are already underway. We aim to use this link to share performances, learn songs to perform in ensembles and boost instrumental playing into secondary education.

In order to enhance progression, providing a ‘musical space’ or room for the children to access for practise or become immersed in musical instruments.

Further information (optional)

The school is aware of the following and is using these to develop the curriculum accordingly:

Non-Statutory Guidance for Music (DfE, 2021) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6061f833d3bf7f5ce1060a90/Model_Music_Curriculum_Full.pdf

The Department for Education publishes a guide for parents and young people on how they can get involved in music in and out of school, and where they can go to for support beyond the school.

Lincolnshire Education Hub https://lincsmusicservice.org/

DfE Policy Paper: The power of music to change lives: a national plan for music education. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62bc1242d3bf7f292040d364/The_Power_of_Music_to_Change_Lives.pdf (2022)