Welcome to Discovery Academy

Music

At Discovery Academy, we believe that children learn their best when they are showing the Academy values of Discovering, Inspiring, Caring, Improving and Achieving within our curriculum. We believe in aspiration for all so want to create a world where the sky is the limit for all of our pupils; building pathways for all and focusing on personal and academic success and eventually progress to successful employment.

Subject Intent: At Discovery Academy, we recognise that music plays a vital part in children’s learning. Music can inspire and motivate children as well as provide them with a unique way of communicating. We want the children to develop an appreciation of the different styles of music and we want every child to believe they are a musician.

Implementation: At Discovery Academy the children learn about music, how music is made, but most importantly develop a knowledge of music; knowing what it is like to be musical as a listener, performer, composer and conductor. Our curriculum is understanding based and focused on the interrelated dimensions of Music. Where there are links to the History and Geography curriculums these are used as a meaningful hook on which to base the Music teaching.

From the EYFS, the Music curriculum enables the children to learn music terminology which they practise using their voices, movement and through instruments. The children are given opportunities to play several instruments; percussion instruments feature in most music lessons and each year group learns to play a tuned musical instrument. The children explore the sounds of their voices and learn to sing in unison and in groups. All the children perform in a Christmas performance or the Carol Service and in assemblies. Music in KS1 is about exploring the interrelated dimensions of music, while in KS2 the children apply them and looking at why they are used in particular ways. In each year group there is a mix of modern and classical music; we acknowledge the music pupils listen to outside lessons and try to make connections between ‘real world music’ and ‘primary classroom music.’

For their formative assessment, children will be assessed against clear learning challenges. Feedback will be given by the teacher and by peers to allow children to improve their work and build their confidence especially when performing. Teachers will assess their children against the statements based on the National Curriculum to monitor and ensure progress.

Non-negotiables:

  • Weekly music lessons that include vocal and instrument work based on units from Charanga and BBC Ten pieces as outlined in the Music Curriculum document.
  • Video and audio evidence of Music lessons showing the progression over a unit of work.
  • Music journals for paper based activities such as graphic scores, listening and appraising activities and rhythm grids.

Impact: our Music Curriculum has been designed to inspire our pupils. By Year 6, our children should be confident with the interrelated dimensions of Music and have a good idea about how they are talented as a musician. They will have been exposed to a variety of ways in which music is shared with others including Musical Theatre, Ballet and how music is used in films and TV. It is hoped that the children will recognise how universal music is, yet at the same be confident in expressing their own personal view about music in a respectful way.