Music at Bolton

Subject Lead: Heather Lowthian (Since January 2023)

Monitoring Governor: Marilyn Tinkler (Since September 2021)

Intent

Music is an integral and well-resourced part of life at Bolton. We want the music lessons to be fun and inspiring, engaging the children with songs, lyrics and movement. We want the children to feel able and reflective and expressive, developing their own appreciation of music with the opportunities we provide as a school. All children are actively encouraged and given the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument, from a large range of classroom instruments to instrument tuition from The Music Service. Music is planned in-line with the statements laid out in the national curriculum. Music is sometimes planned with cross-curricular links where possible with Charanga being used to supplement and provide extra support and resources to enhance music teaching. Charanga provides many examples of music styles and genres from different times and places. These are explored through the language of music via active listening, performing and composing activities, which enable understanding of the context and genre. Through our music lessons children are actively involved in a wide range of musical opportunities. They have planned units that involve broadening their understanding of the history of music, composers and western and non-western cultural traditions. Children develop their singing voices, using body percussion and whole-body actions, and learning to handle and play classroom instruments effectively to create and express their own and others’ music. Through a range of whole class, group and individual activities, children have opportunities to explore sounds, listen actively, compose and perform.

Implementation

Charanga is a scheme of work which offers a topic-based approach to support children’s learning in music. A steady progression plan has been built into Charanga ensuring consistent musical development. By using Charanga as the basis of a scheme of work, we can ensure that they are fulfilling the aims for musical learning stated in the National Curriculum:

Charanga includes many examples of music styles and genres from different times and places. These are explored through the language of music via active listening, performing and composing activities, which enable understanding of the context and genre.

Charanga provides a classroom-based, participatory and inclusive approach to music learning. Throughout the scheme, children are actively involved in using and developing their singing voices, using body percussion and whole-body actions, and learning to handle and play classroom instruments effectively to create and express their own and others’ music. Through a range of whole class, group and individual activities, children have opportunities to explore sounds, listen actively, compose and perform. They will also deepen their knowledge and understanding of musical genres and the history of music over different times and places in the world.

Lessons:
During music lessons children will be given opportunities to learn music specific vocabulary in a meaningful context. During the lesson children will be given opportunities to apply skill and given chance for collaboration through composition.  

Enhancements:

Music within school offers whole class boom whacker lessons (LKS2) ukulele lessons (UKS2), Young Voices and close links with the local community and our ERA schools.

Assessment:
As music is a practical subject, assessment may be done by focusing on a small group at a time on certain tasks or skill which will be outlined in the medium-term plan. Assessment also takes place through observing the children, discussing their work or self/group/teacher evaluation against criteria. The progression grid provided by the subject leader ensures children are accessing work at age related expectations, with regular opportunities to be challenged through higher-level objectives. Children are assessed according to age related expectations in line with curriculum requirements. This information is recorded and monitored by the co-ordinator.

Singing Assembly 

Once a week the children participate in a Singing Assembly. We sing songs that reflect our core values.  Many of the songs have been chosen or suggested by the children. Our school values are so important to us at Bolton and we try to emphasise these in our singing sessions and when selecting songs.

Impact

Music has high status in the school and is greatly enjoyed by all. It is regularly monitored by the subject leader throughout all year groups using a variety of strategies such as, lesson observations, staff discussions and pupil interviews.  Children have opportunities to perform and rehearse for musical events and all music is valued and appreciated. Children are knowledgeable about music and the associated vocabulary; similarities and differences in traditions and historical periods are explored. Pupils are encouraged to talk about their preferences and carry out their own research under the umbrella of music. 

Please see our Music at Bolton document below for more information, including our policy, progression of skills and long term plans.