Music

Statement of Intent

At Bretherton Primary school, our music curriculum is designed to progressively develop children skills in the areas of musical appreciation (listening and discussing), performance on instruments and with voice, using their voices expressively and creatively, composition and recording and evaluating musical performances. We encourage children to focus on the work of great musicians for inspiration and exploration, and to build up a repertoire of techniques and approaches that they can apply in their own compositions.

At Bretherton Endowed Primary School aims of music teaching are to enable children to:

know and understand how sounds are made and then organised into musical structures;
know how music is made through a variety of instruments;

know how music is composed and written down;
know how music is influenced by the time, place and purpose for which it was written;
develop the interrelated skills of performing, composing and appreciating music;
enjoy and appreciate a wide variety of musical styles;
make and quantify judgements about the quality of music;

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.

National Curriculum Music (2014)

Music at Bretherton

We at Bretherton Endowed Primary School believe that Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity.

We aim to ensure that all pupils receive high quality teaching in the subject of music. We aim to motivate and inspire all pupils to fulfil their potential, including those who show strong musical ability and talent on an instrument or voice.

We aim to develop strong listening skills which can be then used across the wider curriculum.

Through their music learning, we aim to increase the child’s self-confidence, ability to work cooperatively as part of a team and to give them a sense of achievement.

We value music as a form of confidence building, expression, as a social subject and for enjoyment.

It is also a way of artistically promoting our school and helps to unite the local community.

We aim to extend our musical performances with the local community and encourage children to take up opportunities to link with other musicians .

Teaching and learning

Every day all the children sing in assembly.

Class 3 have brass tuition from Red Admiral Brass (tow year rolling programme) and are able to have individual lessons if requested.

We use Charanga and Kapow as an additional music resource in school to enhance teaching as this gives children access to a wide range of musical genres.

Productions

This year all the children will work towards one of two major productions.

Class 1 and Class 2 will perform a modern Nativity, at Christmas at school with highlights performed in church. This will include singing in a range of lively styles, alongside drama and dance.

Class 3 and 4 work very hard in the Summer term 2 on their production which changes each year. They have professional photography and video opportunities and it gives opportunities for children to act and sing, which included solos.

Expected Musical Learning for Key Stage 1

This document provides positive progressive teacher statements with supporting pupil statements for each Strand of Musical Learning in Key Stage 1.

The Strands of Musical Learning:

1. Listen and Appraise

2. Musical Activities:

a. Games

b. Singing

c. Playing Instruments

d. Improvisation

e. Composition

3. Perform and Share

The peripatetic instrumental teachers now provide a written report for their pupils, which feeds into their school report.

A wide range of videos of our musical performances can be found on the Music subject gallery.

Training

Staff continuous professional development is vital for effective teaching and learning and we are committed to providing this at Bretherton.

Key action points for year 2024-2026

- Ensure high quality scheme is used to incorporate aspects of the MMC
- Publish a Music development plan in line with government recommendations
- Ensure high quality, useful assessments are used to move children’s learning forward. 
- More live performance opportunities to be available particularly for those who learn music outside of school and invitation for visitors into school. 
- To take part in Last Choir Singing competition  
- To perform for members of the community to show musical skills and talents.
- Opportunities for children to take part in live musical performances.
- Children to be able to explain their understanding of music and talk about different musical vocabulary. 
- To continue to encourage Bretherton to be a ‘singing’ school where children develop a love of singing through worship,

Extra Curricular Clubs

We pride oursleves in allowing children to participate in a range of extra curricular music clubs. We feel this develops children and enhances their understanding of music. Chidlren are able to take guitar lessons, brass lessons, run by Red Admiral Brass, piano lessons and join the school choir in which approximately a third of the school takes part.

The choir won 'The Last Choir Singing' in Summer 2023 in a concert held at King George's Hall.

Some of our recent concerts with the brass group, guitar group and choir can be found using the following links:

Choir concert: https://youtu.be/0nc2sGEomoU

Brass Concert:https://youtu.be/XSoLWbqNyDA

Guitar Concert: https://youtu.be/kcBD3CfOLtY

Our Music Subject Leader is Mrs Jayne Clarke