Music

Music is expressing ourselves using instruments, singing, rhythms and melodies.

Vision for Music (Intent)

The Music curriculum at Mayfield Primary School has been designed to build a range of deep and broad knowledge of different genres, composers and musical skills. As the children progress through school they will build on their previous knowledge and skills and learn to apply those skills in different settings, genres and performances. Music at Mayfield is engaging and moulded around the children’s interests as well as focusing on the key skills needed for composition and performance and appraisal. Music is taught throughout the curriculum subjects and links can be found to most areas.

Music at Mayfield allows children to

Explore ways to express themselves and to develop their talents.
Gives children a sense of belonging and supports mental health and wellbeing.

It is incorporated throughout different areas of the curriculum and is used as refocusing time for the children during transition times in the day.

Children at Mayfield should have

A sound understanding of key skills in music such as pace, rhythm, pitch and volume.
Understand how music can tell a story, change a mood or represent and event in time.
Children should leave Mayfield being able to compose a short piece of music using the key skills they have learnt throughout their time here.
They should feel confident in performing their pieces and can reflect and refine their own work.
They should be able to compliment and provide useful criticism of their own and others work.
Children have the opportunity to take part in both whole school and class performances where they can build on their confidence and self-esteem.
When listening to a piece of music children should be able to comment on different aspects of the piece, identify some if not all the musical instruments used and know simple facts about the time the music was composed and the composer.

Music Subject Leader- Mrs Heaton

Long Term Plan

Download (pdf)

Key Vocabulary

Music Vocabulary

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National Curriculum Aims

The Music curriculum at Mayfield is supported by Sparkyard, Musician of the Month and the MMC (Model Music Curriculum). We also utilise the expertise of Mrs Saville from Oldham Music Service who teaches each class from Nursery to Year 6 for 1 term.

The aim of the MMC is to ensure a universal provision of music education, for all pupils in all schools. In time and resources, this provision is as follows:

At Key Stages 1 and 2, pupils should receive a minimum of one hour of teaching a week; this may take the form of short sessions spread across the week.
In Years 3 or 4, it is recommended that each class should start a whole-class instrumental programme lasting a minimum of one term. The mandatory term will be supported by teachers from the local Music Education Hub. Opportunities for development should continue beyond the mandatory term.
There should be access to both rhythmic and melodic instruments in Key Stages 1 and 2; this may be as part of the whole-class instrumental programme and/or in other classroom teaching.

Music should have a minimum of one weekly period the whole way through Key Stage 3. Carousels are not a substitute that fits with the values of comprehensive education.
Singing assemblies will happen once a week for both key stage 1 and key stage 2. These will be led by Mrs Saville or the Music Lead.

How is Music taught and what does it look like at Mayfield? (Implementation)

Music will be taught in blocks throughout the year. It is deeply embedded into all areas of the curriculum at points throughout the year. Each year group from Nursery to Year 6 will have 1 term where music is taught by a specialist from Oldham Music centre. The following 2 terms will be taught by class teaches with support from the Music Lead. Working closely with the teachers in that class Mrs Saville tailors her lessons around our curriculum and ensures that the knowledge and skills required for that year group are being covered and developed each year. They focus on key skills, knowledge of musical terms, knowledge of composers and musical genres. This is supported by resources on Sparkyard and also resources sourced from BBC 10 Ten Pieces and other web-based links that have been collected through CPD with Oldham Music Service.

Children will have the opportunity to

explore their experiences of music and their likes and dislikes of genres and composers or artists.
to perform to a range of different audiences and showcase the skills they have learnt.
They are provided with a wide of range of resources and instruments to explore and master.
Each year group are given the opportunity to visit places of musical interest or have musical workshops brought into school to enhance the children’s understanding and experiences of music.

What will my child leave Mayfield knowing, understanding and appreciating in Music? (Impact)

Outcomes in curriculum and literacy books, videos of performances at the start and end of units and pupil voice evidence a broad and balanced music curriculum and demonstrate the children’s acquisition of identified key knowledge. Evidence can also be found through video recordings and audio recordings of the children’s compositions as well as live performances. Children review the agreed successes during each session and are actively encouraged to identify their own target areas, with support from their teachers. Children also record what they have learned comparative to their starting points at the end of every topic.
Emphasis is placed on analytical thinking and reflection which helps pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of their personal journey through the music curriculum. Regular visits to places of musical interest and invited guests provide further relevant, enriching and contextual learning.