Music at Manuden

At Manuden Primary School, we want every child to experience the enjoyment of making, listening to and responding to music.

Our music curriculum is designed to develop pupils’ confidence, creativity and musical understanding. Children are given opportunities to sing, perform, compose, listen and evaluate, while building their knowledge of musical vocabulary, notation and traditions.

We want pupils to leave Manuden with positive musical experiences and the confidence to participate in music both in and beyond school.

How We Teach Music

Music is taught through carefully sequenced learning that develops pupils’ knowledge and skills over time.

Teaching includes opportunities to:

• sing individually and as part of a group;
• play tuned and untuned instruments;
• listen carefully to a wide range of music;
• recognise musical elements such as pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics and timbre;
• improvise and compose;
• record musical ideas;
• perform to others;
• evaluate and improve performances; and
• develop appropriate musical vocabulary.

Teachers model musical skills and provide opportunities for pupils to practise, rehearse and perform.

Singing

Singing is an important part of musical life at Manuden.

Children develop their ability to:

• sing with increasing confidence and control;
• maintain an appropriate pitch;
• follow a steady pulse;
• sing with expression;
• listen to other singers;
• sing in unison and, where appropriate, in parts; and
• perform as part of a group.

Singing also supports pupils’ confidence, listening skills and sense of community.

Playing Instruments

Pupils have opportunities to use a range of tuned and untuned instruments.

As they progress through the school, children learn to:

• handle instruments appropriately;
• maintain a steady pulse;
• perform rhythms and melodies;
• play individually and as part of an ensemble;
• follow simple musical notation; and
• improve performances through practice and evaluation.

Where specialist or whole-class instrumental opportunities are available, these are used to broaden pupils’ musical experience.

Listening and Appraising

Children listen to music from a wide range of traditions, periods, cultures and styles.

They are encouraged to:

• listen attentively;
• identify instruments and musical features;
• describe what they hear using appropriate vocabulary;
• compare different pieces of music;
• express and justify opinions;
• recognise how music can create different moods and effects; and
• learn about significant composers, performers and musical traditions.

We aim to introduce pupils to music beyond what they may already encounter in everyday life.

Composing and Improvising

Pupils are given opportunities to create their own music.

Children learn to:

• explore sounds;
• create rhythms and melodies;
• improvise;
• combine musical ideas;
• make choices about musical elements;
• use simple notation to record ideas; and
• evaluate and refine compositions.

As pupils progress, they are expected to make increasingly deliberate musical choices and explain the effect they want to create.

Music in Our Mixed-Age Classes

Our mixed-age music curriculum is carefully planned to ensure appropriate coverage and progression over time.

Where Years 1 & 2, Years 3 & 4 and Years 5 & 6 are taught together, learning is sequenced so that pupils can build on previous experience without unnecessary repetition.

Tasks, expectations and levels of independence are adapted according to pupils’ age, prior experience and individual needs.

Music in Reception

Music forms part of children’s expressive arts and design experiences within the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Children have regular opportunities to sing, move to music, explore sounds and experiment with instruments.

These experiences help children develop listening, rhythm, coordination, creativity and confidence.

Performance

Performance gives children opportunities to share their learning and develop confidence.

Where appropriate, pupils may perform:

• within lessons;
• to other classes;
• in assemblies;
• at school events;
• as part of productions; and
• within the wider community.

We encourage children to value both their own performances and those of others.

Supporting All Learners

We want every pupil to participate successfully in music.

Teachers adapt teaching and resources where necessary through approaches such as:

• visual prompts;
• modelling;
• repeated practice;
• simplified or extended musical parts;
• adapted instruments;
• paired or group work; and
• targeted adult support where appropriate.

Adaptations are designed to allow all pupils to participate while maintaining appropriate challenge.

Assessment

Teachers assess music through observation, discussion, rehearsal, performance and pupils’ ability to apply musical knowledge and skills.

Assessment considers areas such as:

• singing;
• performing;
• listening;
• composing;
• use of musical vocabulary;
• understanding of musical elements; and
• increasing independence.

Assessment helps teachers identify next steps and plan future learning.

Music Beyond the Curriculum

We aim to provide opportunities for pupils to experience music beyond their regular lessons.

These may include:

• singing events;
• performances;
• productions;
• visiting musicians;
• instrumental tuition;
• musical clubs; and
• opportunities to perform within the local community.

These experiences help broaden pupils’ musical horizons and develop confidence.

Key Music Information

• Music Curriculum Overview
• Music Progression
• Music Policy
• Music Development Plan

Find Out More

If you would like further information about music at Manuden Primary School, please contact the school office.

Email: office@manuden.essex.sch.uk
Telephone: 01279 813370