MUSIC AT ORLEANS PRIMARY SCHOOL

Early Years Foundation Stage

Music forms an important part of everyday enjoyment and learning in Early Years.  Continuous provision of musical instruments across Nursery and Reception encourages performance and exploration of sounds and singing and we regularly listen to different genres of music. Children build upon their early experiences and skills through both child-led access to musical activities and whole class teacher-led sessions, the latter allowing for more specific skills and knowledge to be taught. In Nursery, the music curriculum coincides with year group topics wherever possible, while Reception follow the Kapow music scheme of lessons. 

KS1 & KS2

In Key Stage 1&2, music is taught weekly to each class by a specialist music teacher.  Lessons are generally taught in the small hall and last between 40 and 45 minutes.  As well as this, both key stages have a weekly singing assembly led by the specialist teacher. A variety of resources are used in both key stages to support our bespoke music curriculum, while continuously developing skills with reference to the Model Music Curriculum.  Children are exposed to a wide genre of music to listen to and are given as many opportunities as possible to perform to others. As far as is able, the music curriculum coincides with year group topics. 

Children have plenty of access to both tuned and untuned percussion instruments in lessons, and any who learn an instrument are actively encouraged to bring their own instrument in to participate in music performances.  Use is made of the internet to highlight particular elements and illustrate professional music-making.  Children are encouraged to respond to music through imitation, composition, discussion and performance.

 

Further Opportunities

At Orleans Primary, we aim to give children the further grounding and enthusiasm to develop their music-making throughout school life. Opportunities to enable this include:

• Weekly singing assemblies led by our specialist music teacher where the children learn how to make best use of their voice whilst singing a variety of songs from different genres.
• A ‘Music of the Week’ class assembly is presented every week to each class, on a two-year cycle – featuring a range of genres, cultures and historical musical eras
• Performances in class assemblies and year group expos
• Two school choirs (KS1 and KS2) take place each week.
• KS2 School orchestra meet once a week.
• Participation in the Richmond Music Trust wider opportunities program
• Whole class instrumental lessons
• Whole school opportunities such as a Christmas Big Sing.
• Richmond Music Trust, RockAdemy and MTech offer a wealth of peripatetic lessons in school time which includes; recorders, music makers, violin, cello, guitar, percussion, brass, keyboard and digital composition
• Participation in the ‘Richmond Singing Festival’, the Richmond prom and performing for local community groups.
• Visits and visitors providing music-related cross curricular links such as drumming workshops in school or attending concerts by professional musicians.