Music

At Bywell Junior School we learn together and grow together. What better way to learn and grow than through the unique power and influence of music?

Music is a universal language embodying one of the highest forms of creativity.

Through music we can find peace. By discovering shared interests we can foster and strengthen friendships. In music, we can find solace, helping us endure when we may be burdened.

Music can induce or alter our emotions; from joyful and euphoric to peaceful, reflective and compassionate. Shaped by our school vision, our music curriculum is justly designed to be fully inclusive to engage and inspire our pupils to develop a love of music.

We will nurture their musical potential, increasing self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement, whilst encouraging their musical development across school, allowing all pupils the opportunity the shine.

Due to limitations arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on school, our music curriculum this year will quickly raise and consistently maintain the profile of music throughout school.

Therefore, music will be taught by a music specialist on a regular basis, with frequent opportunities for extra-curricular activities such as choir club and instrument drop in sessions. This will ensure a varied, quality music provision for the whole school.

• Raise and maintain profile of music throughout school.
• Improve the quality and regularity of music provision. • Inspire an interest/love of music early on in the school year.
• Offer varied opportunities for pupils to play instruments, including using their voice.
• To perform, review and appraise music from a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions.
• Create and compose music and understand how music is created, produced and communicated.
• Maintain interest and inquisitiveness about music throughout the year. • Gradually increase musical confidence, knowledge and ability.
• All pupils, including those with identified SEND to be supported.
• Pupil achievement in music to be highlighted and celebrate at appropriate opportunities, with musical achievements to be celebrated throughout the year.
• Opportunities for children to meaningfully engage with music as much as possible and in ways they choose.
• Recommence whole school singing practices.
• AFL opportunities utilised in lessons with achievements being shared.
• Performances within school/to parents and carers will be planned (restrictions permitting) throughout the year.
• Staff confidence and knowledge to be strong in order to provide quality first teaching and meaningful opportunities to engage with music on varied levels.

What has been achieved in the subject since 2023 – include pupil voice & assessment either qualitative or quantitative?

• Music has been taught by a music professional on a regular basis for all pupils in school. As a result, the profile of music has been raised and is maintained throughout the year.
• Music has been planned and delivered to inspire an interest in music, using contemporary examples where possible. Lunchtime choir, rock band and instrument drop-ins took place during lunchtimes offering pupils opportunities to discover and develop musical talents and abilities.
• Music lessons have been planned and delivered to include playing instruments, using pupil voices and introducing music from a variety of musical periods, genres and styles.
• Pupils have had opportunities to compose and perform in order to begin to experience and gain some understanding about how music can be created. There has been a greater emphasis on composing this year.
• Ipads have been used to allow children opportunities to compose music in an accessible way and offers quality results which add to the awe of music creation, keeping children engaged. The sharing of these quality compositions have inspired children to be more creative and experimental with a variety of sounds and loops from the Garage band app.
• A local musician came into school to offer a Brazilian drumming workshop to Y5&6 children. They then took part in a performance at Longcauseway Church as part of Black History Month to showcase their learning. • The Brazilian was brought in again to lead a workshop Y4.
• Our choir took part in the Young Voices concert in February, which was extremely successful.
• Music lead has made enquiries about the school registering for a national music award. Preliminary responses suggest Musica Kirklees decide on schools to be put forward for Music Mark, depending on musical involvement.