St Botolph's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Music

At St Botolphs Primary School, we are MUSICIANS! We want our children to love music. We want them to have no limits to what their ambitions are and grow up wanting to be music producers, songwriters, composers or rockstars! Our vision is to give children access to an engaging and fun music curriculum reflecting the world they live in now, but at the same time giving them access to musical styles throughout history. Children are able to listen and appraise a variety of musical styles alongside performing pieces and creating their own compositions through the use of instruments and technology. To achieve this, all children access a variety of musical games, songs, instruments, music workshops, and extra - curricular activities giving them practical hands on experience. We hope children continue to grow in confidence as they progress through the musical curriculum and become passionate in their responses to music. Added to this, we want children to become more independent learners within this area, reflect upon their learning and develop resilience within the musical world. 

• Children at St Botolphs participate in a  weekly music lesson.
• Areas of learning, such as times tables in maths, nursery rhymes and stories, vocabulary in languages and movement in dance can all incorporate different elements of music.
• Every year group will build upon the learning from prior year groups therefore developing depth of understanding and progression of skills. This serves as a base to aid and enhance our teaching, but is not intended to be rigidly adhered to. Teachers should make professional judgements about when to adapt, miss out or add additional materials where this would benefit learning.
• Lessons provide opportunities for children to develop practical skills and progress by listening and appraising, singing, playing, composing, and performing.
• A weekly singing assembly allows the children opportunities to develop their singing skills and gain an understanding of how ensembles work.
• As well as music lessons in class, children have the opportunity to learn a brass instrument in year 5 and the guitar in year 6.
• Pupils are given the opportunity to listen to a range of music through various in and out of school opportunities
• Children from across the school have the opportunity to sing weekly and perform at different events throughout the year as part of the whole school choir.
• Performances including The Christmas Nativity in KS1 and Early years take place and are integral to the school ethos.
• The Headteacher and other members of staff lead regular whole school assemblies which include song learning and music appreciation.
• Instrumental groups will be encouraged to perform in Assembly whenever performances are ready to be heard.
• There is an Annual Music Festival for children to perform instrumental and vocal music both as solo performances and ensembles.