Music

Why our Music Curriculum looks like this? At St Mary and St John our intent is to “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.” (Department of Education, National Curriculum) Our Music Curriculum begins in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The guidance in ‘Development Matters’ within the Expressive Arts and Design area of learning (Early Learning Goals), is for pupils to listen attentively, move to and talk about music, expressing their feelings and responses. To watch and talk about dance and performance art, expressing their feelings and responses. Sing in a group or on their own, increasingly matching the pitch and following the melody. They will explore and engage in music making and dance, performing solo or in groups. Moving into KS1 and through into KS2, we aim to build on this foundation and continue to develop musical skills and knowledge as well as encourage an enthusiasm for and enjoyment of singing and performing. We provide children with the opportunity to perform in front of an audience both within and outside of school.

How Music is taught at St. Mary and St John Catholic Primary School

• The Interrelated Dimensions of Music: pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture and structure and appropriate musical notations are the foundations of our music curriculum.

• Our curriculum is centred around ‘Charanga Musical School’, ‘Music Express’ and ‘SingUp’ plus ‘BBC Ten Pieces’ amongst others. Planning is informed by and aligned with the national curriculum and supported by Wigan Music Service Progression of Skills. Repeating a musical skill enables pupils to ‘reinforce musical understanding in order to improve the quality of their musicianship’. (Charanga Musical School) Pupils have an opportunity to develop these musical skills practically and creatively. There are opportunities through a range of musical activities to sing and play, improvise and compose, use technology, listen to and appraise music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions. 

• Class music at St Mary and St John Primary School is taught as a discrete lesson but cross curricular links are made where appropriate.

• Half hourly key stage singing takes place weekly. Pupils often enter the hall to a range of different styles of music which enhances their appreciation and understanding of the history of music by communicating interesting facts about the music and/or composer. Hymns are the main focus of the session but can also include topical songs or ones with cross curricular links. We sing at various Masses throughout the year. 

• As part of the Wider Opportunities programme, Y4 pupils have the opportunity to learn a brass instrument for a year and are taught by a music specialist from Wigan Music Service. This enables them to play once a term as part of a brass ensemble for an audience.

• Peripatetic teachers also come into school to teach music lessons which include brass, piano, guitar, drums, woodwind, string and voice, which gives opportunities for pupils to learn and develop their skills from an experienced specialist teacher. Pupils are always encouraged to perform for their key stage peers and some have the opportunity to sit examinations. 

• Live performances are welcomed and we look forward to an annual visit by ‘Music Alive’ – ensembles of music specialists from Wigan Music Service. 

• All pupils participate in performances throughout the year including an Infant Nativity, Junior Advent Service and Junior Easter Service. Audiences are invited to watch these performances. An invitation via the Church newsletters is extended to the parish community when the Junior performances take place in Church. Y1 have fun taking part in an ‘Infant Summer Song Share' together with infant pupils from other schools and Y6 provide an entertaining end of year performance led by their Y6 Class Teacher and TA. 

• KS2 pupils also have the opportunity to join the School Choir. During Advent they sing Christmas songs and Carols for the local community and care home. We look forward to and join with another primary school and a number of secondary schools to participate in the annual CAFOD Carol Service which is led by St John Rigby College. The choir also sing at Y4’s First Holy Communion Mass. 

• A Recorder Club is a recent addition to our musical extra-curricular activities for KS2.

At St Mary and St John Catholic Primary School, we have devised a subject specific Assessment Tracker that determines children’s development of skills, understanding and informs teachers planning. This is completed on a termly basis by the music teacher, and is shared with the SLT. Action Plans are reviewed termly by the Subject Leader and shared annually with Governors. Video recording of performances during lessons helps the pupils to appraise their own learning and the teacher to assess their learning. There is also photo evidence and images of the pupil’s practical learning. During their time at St Mary and St John, the pupils work independently but also in small groups, in classes, key stages and the whole school. This teamwork ‘builds life skills such as empathy, problem solving and communication, and a sense of responsibility and commitment’. (Music Mark) The choir were invited to sing at the ‘Mass for the Sick and the Housebound’ as part of the Jubilee Celebrations for St John’s. A member of the parish commented “It was a very special mass and the children’s voices just lifted the occasion. They really were a joy to listen to. Many members of the congregation commented the same. They were a real credit to school and they did a marvellous job. We are very grateful as a church community.’

By the time our children leave St Mary and St John’s Primary School we hope that we have

given them developing skills, knowledge, understanding and a lifelong enjoyment of music.

Music plays an important role in bringing people together and we aim to help children

recognise and develop their own musical talents and appreciate those of others. Music

requires discipline and dedication and we hope that they continue to gain confidence and self-esteem, recognise and develop their own musical talents, be proud of their

achievements and appreciate those of others. Our aspirations for our pupils are that they

will continue to engage in a wide variety of music activities – listener, creator, performer –

and we hope we have inspired a lifelong enthusiasm in their musical journey through life.