Music
Music is important for all children and plays a big part in the life of the school within the Trust. Every pupil from Reception right up to Year 6 get a weekly music lesson with a dedicated specialist Music Teacher.
Each music dept. in the Pegasus Academy Trust has its own individual style and each school offers a variety of musical opportunities for its Pupils.
Please click here to take a virtual tour of Ecclesbourne Primary School’s “Jam-Bus,” one of the jewels in our musical crown.
Intent
In music, our key principle is to provide all pupils with the skills and knowledge they will need to arrive in KS3 with a zest for music. We also acknowledge the power of music to enhance the lives of our children in the future, even if they do not choose to pursue it academically. We seek to promote a lifelong love of the subject and expect that our children will be excited to perform, read and even compose music.
All pupils at schools within PAT are entitled to high-quality and engaging music lessons and an exciting and varied array of musical opportunities. With these two aspects embedded, we provide music students with the ideal toolkit to excel in the future.
Implementation
Our curriculum is primarily split into three different strands namely performing, composing, and listening. All key concepts are taught across these three strands so that knowledge is embedded in a variety of ways. Pupils are able to demonstrate meaning of words both literally and musically. Schemes of work are sequenced in a logical manner for KS1 & 2 including as many different forms, genres, styles, instruments, songs or pieces as we can practically manage within each school.
The initial scheme of work is centred around ‘Charanga’, an online based curriculum with resources for each teacher to tailor to their individual skill set. This is then adapted as the teachers see fit to suit each school’s separate resources and circumstances. Basic instrumental performing and composing and the embedding of musical keywords for listening and analysis are all included here. Pupils embark on what might be described as a ‘musical journey’, learning about both Western musical styles and other styles from around the world. This develops an understanding of the place of music in different cultures and contexts, and teaches pupils to reflect on how music is used in the expression of personal and collective identities.
During each topic, pupils will learn key musical concepts and these are sequenced so that knowledge is both built upon and revised in a linear manner. This gives opportunity for assessment and tracking of each pupil’s progress through their primary years in music education.
Each half-termly scheme of work in all Key Stages features a performance assessment meaning a practical purpose for their learning should be expressed through a performance. For instance, when studying Reggae, pupils will at first learn to play a reggae piece, then to compose with the key features of reggae (slow tempo, offbeat chords,) and then form a group to be a “reggae band” to display their knowledge to their peers. Many practical elements are filmed so that pupils can watch their own performances back in order to judge strengths and areas for development.
Singing is a core skill in all schemes of work as this is truly the most universal way human beings can share music together. Each school runs singing assemblies every week and all Key Stages are encouraged to sing as a group and solo if they wish to. In KS2 we support students in peripatetic instrumental lessons so further skills on instruments and music theory can be developed in a smaller group setting. Formal examinations are also available to pupils who show excellent aptitude including music instrumental grades and the ABRSM Music Theory Exams.
Impact
The impact of our curriculum is reviewed through departmental meetings between schools inn the Trust that analyse the impact our lessons are having on pupils and we review the targets set in our improvement plan to track the progress of each department.
In 2021 we started the ABRSM Grade 1 Music Theory exams training, and from the 15 entered, 14 passed with 11 receiving Distinction Grades, (The highest possible.) We have now started Grade 2 with Year 5 pupils and have 36 pupils now sitting exams across the Trust. We have also decided to fund these to enable pupils of disparate backgrounds and experiences to engage in formal music qualifications. Students are released from other curriculum lessons to attend these lessons and this embodies how highly the Trust values our subject.
The extra-curricular achievements in addition to their classroom lessons include performing for Royalty at Buckingham Palace, performing with the BBC at The Royal Albert Hall and we are now making strong links with the Brit School, a close neighbour and possible feeder secondary school for us.
Post COVID, we are developing cross Trust concerts giving every ensemble and extracurricular group a chance to perform both as a group and individually.
