Music
Music
Subject Leader - Mrs A Roberts
As Music Subject Leader, I am passionate about ensuring that every child experiences the enjoyment and benefits of music. I believe music brings our school community together, develops confidence and creativity, and enables children to express their thoughts, feelings and faith.
I am committed to supporting staff in delivering the Sparkyard Music Curriculum and ensuring that pupils’ musical knowledge and skills develop progressively across the school. I value the important role that singing and hymns play within our Catholic community, particularly during prayer and liturgy, Masses, assemblies and celebrations.
My aim is to provide every child with meaningful opportunities to sing, play instruments, compose and perform. Through lessons, concerts, productions and whole-school celebrations, I want all pupils to feel included, successful and proud of their musical achievements while developing a lifelong love of music.
Music at St John Fisher
Intent
At St John Fisher, we believe that music is an important part of every child’s education and plays a central role in the spiritual and cultural life of our Catholic school community. We aim to provide a high-quality, engaging and inclusive music curriculum that inspires creativity, builds confidence and develops a lifelong love and appreciation of music.
Singing is at the heart of our music curriculum. Through hymns, songs, prayer and liturgy, children develop their musical abilities while strengthening their faith and sense of belonging within our school community.
Using the Sparkyard Music Curriculum, we aim to ensure that all children develop the knowledge, understanding and practical skills needed to become confident musicians. Pupils are encouraged to listen, sing, perform, improvise and compose, while developing an understanding of musical elements such as pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture, structure and notation.
We want every child, regardless of their background, ability or additional needs, to experience the joy of making music and recognise themselves as a musician.
Implementation
At St John Fisher, music is taught through the Sparkyard Music Curriculum, which provides a progressive and carefully sequenced approach to musical learning from Early Years to Year 6.
Lessons are designed to be practical, creative and engaging, allowing children to develop their musical knowledge and skills through a range of activities.
Our music curriculum is implemented through:
Progressive teaching: Musical skills and knowledge are built upon year by year, ensuring children develop a secure understanding of key musical concepts and vocabulary.
Singing: Children regularly learn and perform a wide range of songs and hymns, developing their vocal skills, confidence and enjoyment of singing.
Listening and responding: Pupils experience music from different historical periods, cultures, traditions and genres, developing their ability to listen carefully, appreciate and discuss music.
Playing instruments: Children have opportunities to explore and play tuned and untuned instruments, developing their understanding of rhythm, pulse, pitch and musical notation.
Composing and improvising: Pupils are encouraged to experiment with sounds, create musical ideas and express themselves through composition.
Performance opportunities: Children regularly perform during lessons, assemblies, Masses, prayer and liturgy, Christmas productions, concerts and school celebrations.
Catholic life and mission: Music is embedded within the prayer life of our school. Hymns and singing support collective worship, liturgical celebrations and important events throughout the Church’s year.
Inclusion: Lessons are adapted and scaffolded to ensure that all pupils, including those with SEND, can access musical learning and experience success.
Teachers use Sparkyard resources, practical activities, musical instruments and opportunities for discussion and reflection to support learning. Assessment is ongoing through observation, questioning, listening and performances, enabling teachers to identify progress and support pupils in developing their musical skills.
Impact
By the time children leave St John Fisher, we aim for them to have developed a secure foundation of musical knowledge, skills and understanding, alongside a positive attitude towards music.
The impact of our music curriculum is demonstrated through children who:
Enjoy music and demonstrate enthusiasm, confidence and creativity in musical activities.
Sing confidently and participate actively in hymns, Masses, prayer and liturgical celebrations.
Understand and use appropriate musical vocabulary to describe, discuss and evaluate music.
Demonstrate increasing confidence and accuracy when singing, playing instruments, improvising and composing.
Listen carefully and appreciate a wide range of musical styles, traditions and cultures.
Work cooperatively with others, showing respect, resilience and teamwork during rehearsals and performances.
Develop the confidence to perform individually, in groups and as part of the wider school community.
Recognise the importance of music in expressing emotions, celebrating faith and bringing people together.
Feel included, valued and successful in their musical learning, regardless of their individual needs or abilities.
Through regular opportunities to perform, reflect and celebrate their achievements, children develop pride in their musical accomplishments.
Our ultimate aim is for every child to leave St John Fisher with a love of music, the confidence to express themselves creatively and joyful memories of singing, performing and making music together.
Our music curriculum supports our school mission:
“With God’s love we are a Family; caring, learning and growing together.”