Music
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." - Plato
Intent:
At Shephalbury Park, we recognise that music is all around us. It connects us all in a way that words alone can't, and it is a universal language spoken throughout the world. Our intent is to reflect the creative, collaborative and celebratory nature of music in our musical education. Music is not just taught as a lesson in classes, but is a part of our whole school community, enriching the children's learning and spreading joy to everyone.
Implementation:
Each class has a one hour lesson of music following the Charanga scheme of learning. Charanga focusses on an integrated, practical, exploratory and child-led approach to musical learning, supporting all the requirements from the National Curriculum. All musical learning is built around the Interrelated Dimensions of Music: pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture, structure and notation. These dimensions are at the center of all the learning and the children's skills progress through the Year Groups.
There is a whole school Singing Assembly once a week where we all learn a song over several weeks and practice singing it together. We learn a variety of songs over the year, incorporating different genres and celebrating different musicians and their communities. At the beginning and end of each Singing Assembly we play a song that the children have voted for in class - our weekly "Music Vote". This is led by the Class Counsellors and gives the children ownership over their musical experience and education.
Around Christmas each year, we learn a selection of Christmas Carols to really bring the Christmas cheer to our community. These are then performed to the parents as a Christmas Carol Performance for all to enjoy. Select children who form our school Choir then also have the opportunity to walk to Nursing Homes in our Local Community to sing to the residents.
Each Friday, Rocksteady comes to school and children who have lessons are given the opportunity to play a musical instrument as part of a real band! They then perform the song's they are learning to the whole school as a termly "Concert". Details of Rocksteady are attached below if you would like to sign your child up to this fantastic musical opportunity.
Impact
Children at Shephalbury Park have a great enthusiasm for music and love to sing in our assemblies and listen to different songs. They have a confident understanding of all aspects of the music curriculum and have experienced a broad range of different musicians and genres. They are able to work collaboratively to create music and can record and perform this to others.
Rocksteady
In-school rock and pop band lessons with Rocksteady
We partner with Rocksteady Music School to deliver fun and inclusive rock and pop band lessons, right here at Shephalbury Park! These weekly music lessons take place in school and are led by highly trained professional musicians who know how to inspire a love for music.
It’s the perfect way for children to learn new musical skills, make friends and have fun, all whilst boosting confidence, wellbeing, social skills and academic achievement.
More about Rocksteady:
• There’s no experience necessary and all instruments for lessons are provided.
• Lessons are open for children from Reception to Year 6.
• Children learn up to 300 instrument, band, and performance skills, whilst playing songs they love.
• Children can achieve an Ofqual-regulated Music qualification, accredited by Trinity College London, without having to take a single exam.
• End of term concerts so you can see just how far they have come.
• Parents receive regular updates about their child’s progress, including photos and videos.
If your child would like to experience the magic of learning music, you can sign up to Rocksteady at: rocksteadymusicschool.com/parents
Find out more:
- 0330 113 0330 (Mon–Thurs 8am-8pm, Fri 8am-6pm, calls charged at local rate)
- info@rocksteadymusicschool.com
- www.rocksteadymusicschool.com