Music
Children develop their creativity, musical skills and a passion for music through our Charanga scheme, which is the basis of our work in music. This passion and creativity is extended through whole school singing and participation in school performances, which develop musical, drama and performance skills further. Every child has the opportunity to explore and develop their individual skills further by taking part in additional music lessons and after school clubs, including dance and choir.
Please see our Music curriculum overview below.
Music in the EYFS
Through Expressive Arts, children are taught to sing songs, make music and dance. Children are given opportunities to experiment with ways of changing sound and develop an understanding of pulse rhythm and pitch. Children follow a scheme of work from Charanga Music School and enjoy listening and responding to different styles of music, learning to sing, joining in with nursery rhymes and action songs which leads to playing classroom instruments and performing for others.
Children are also encouraged to use everyday objects to make music and create sound, children enjoy exploring our music wall outdoors and experiment with sound using objects made from different materials such as wood, metal and plastic. Children experiment with water buts, kettles and pans, piping, guttering, bin lids and many different types of beaters.
Music in KS1 and KS2
Our Music curriculum is matched to the needs of our pupils and National Curriculum objectives and shows progressions of skills throughout school.
Our Music curriculum aims 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;
- Express feelings, ideas, experiences and beliefs in a variety of ways;
- Improve coordination, flexibility, agility, strength and fine motor skills.
Curriculum planning has been designed carefully to ensure that the curriculum in Key Stages 1 and 2 meets the expectations of the National Curriculum. Subject Leaders have rigorously planned the curriculum cycles so that all pupils are taught the curriculum, in a sequence which ensures that learning builds on prior learning, no matter how pupils travel through the school.
Unit planning has developed over the years, following subject specific training. This is supported by unit plans from Charanga which support staff in their planning and teaching, ensuring that they are covering the National Curriculum objectives identified in the long term planning.
The curriculum across KS1 and KS2 are planned on a 3-year cycle.
Music Development Plan
Our Music Development Plan sets out how we ensure high-quality music education for all pupils. It outlines our approach to teaching music across the school, developing pupils’ musical skills, confidence and enjoyment, and providing opportunities to sing, perform, compose and listen to a wide range of music. The plan also explains how we support progression, inclusion and enrichment so that every child can experience the joy and benefits of music as part of a broad and balanced curriculum.
Musical Instruments at Beamish Primary School
At Beamish Primary School, we provide Glockenspiel, Ukulele and Clarinet lessons for our children in KS1 and KS2. Within these lessons, our children are taught to able to read and place the notes E, F, G, A, B, C and D on a musical stave. These notes are introduced at different points and are revisited regularly through music lessons and after school clubs. These lessons are delivered by a specialist music teacher and also through specific skills-based lessons taken from Charanga Music Scheme.
Clarinet
All of our KS2 children are currently learning the Clarinet. This is a fantastic opportunity for all of our KS2 children to take part in these lessons, so that they can learn new skills and develop breath control. We will be working towards a musical showcase in the Spring to present our work.
Ukulele
Children are given the opportunity to learn ukulele. The children love this opportunity to learn the different string names and chords.
Durham Music Service
We use Durham Music Service to teach some of our musical instruments. Visit the Durham Music Services website for further information.
Rock Steady Music
We use Rock Steady Music School to provide additional opportunities for our children to learn to play an instrument in their very own band.
Visit the Rocksteady Music School website for further information.