Heathcote Primary School

At Heathcote we consider Music to be an essential part of our rich curriculum. As stated in the National Curriculum, “Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity.” Our music lessons are based around the National Curriculum specifications and follow guidance from the Model Music Curriculum. They ensure the progressive development of musical concept, knowledge and skills. Our aim is to incorporate a range of musical experiences across our curriculum and school life that will start children on their creative journey, developing a love and understanding of a range of musical genres. Through music lessons, assemblies, productions and a range of extra-curricular opportunities, we give children the chance to showcase their talents and develop their understanding of performing with awareness of others. As we make music lessons fun and engaging, we also see children’s self-confidence and sense of achievement increase.

Implementation

Children at Heathcote have a weekly high quality music lesson based on our “Charanga” scheme of work. This scheme develops a progression of music skills that focus on understanding key musical principles for example rhythm, pulse, listening and appreciating a range of music, performing, composing and improvising. Children love these lessons and respond enthusiastically to the range of musical genres that they are introduced to. They love singing, dancing and having the opportunity to play different instruments.

Since September 2021, Heathcote School have worked closely with “Warwick-A Singing Town” to promote the joy of singing and for singing to be part of the post pandemic renewal in Warwick. Through this, singing workshops are led across the school which aim to promote a love of singing and develop good singing technique through a carefully planned progressions of skills. In school, informal performances take place and children have the opportunity to take part in related community events.

Aside from specific music lessons, children have many musical opportunities. Singing assemblies are a popular part of the school week where we see children developing a love of music, smiling and coming together as a school community. We also run a very popular Young Voices choir which performs at Birmingham Resorts World Arena every year. We arrange to have performers visit the school, so that children can appreciate first hand the skill and expertise in playing an instrument. Our instrumental students have also had wonderful opportunities to take workshops and play alongside the Orchestra of the Swan. Our peripatetic teachers support us by providing termly concerts with their students and all students across the school also take part in school productions.

Impact

At Heathcote, we are proud of the enthusiasm children have for music and our many talented musicians. Through lesson moderation, pupil voice, analysis of children attending clubs, concerts and numbers taking part in peripatetic lessons, we can see that:

Our children are engaged and excited by our music curriculum. The skills that they are taught equip them with a range of skills to enable them to appreciate music throughout their lives
Our children have become confident performers, composers and listeners, who are able to express themselves musically at school and beyond
Our children show an appreciation and respect for a range of music from a variety of genres across a variety of generations
Our children make good progress through the music curriculum which enables them to meet the expectations outlined at the end of each key stage for the national curriculum