Music

Why do we teach Music? (Curriculum Intent)

  • Engage and inspire all pupils in a lifelong love of music
  • Explore and develop musical talent
  • Immerse chldren in an environment that values creativity and expression.
  • Understand that music is best learned through direct engagement - learn through music and by actively making music
  • Use musical experiences not only to develop outstanding musicianship but to develop well-rounded, socially adept and capable young people
  • Develop transferable skills in communication and listening, co-ordination, teamwork,social development, self-confidence, performance and critical appraisal
  • Play an important role in the development of the whole child at Lacey Green including the development of our pupils' social, emotional and mental health and is intrinsic in providing high quality learning experiences for all
  • Ensure that music is fun for all, thereby developing and promoting the well being of all our pupils
  • Provide every child with an artistic outlet and a means to express themselves.                 

How do we teach music? (Curriculum Implementation)

Music at Lacey Green consists of three major areas which are all inter-related:

1.Curriculum music – i.e. High quality classroom music: EYFS/ National Curriculum statutory lessons which provide the bed-roc of a ‘broad and balanced’ music education

2.Instrumental/ music ensembles – requiring regular membership (for e.g.) steel band / choir

3.Musical events and opportunities – concerts, workshops, festivals

Curriculum Music

Music plays a large and vital role in the life of Lacey Green Academy and this is demonstrated by our achievement of the Artsmark's Gold Award.

Children in EYFS are taught by their class teachers and they follow units from the 'Music Express' online scheme.

All KS1 (Years 1and 2) and all KS2 pupils (Years 3,4 and 6) are taught by Miss Birchall, our specialist music teacher. The lessons cover all aspects of the National Curriculum programme of study. Lessons are planned using resources from the published scheme 'Music Express' as well as other bespoke materials and lessons. This enables a balance of teaching and learning activities to take place.

Children in Year Two begin to play the lgockenspiel and at the end of the year, the ocarina. This is continued into Year Three whereupon the pupils then transfer similar skills by learning to play the recorder, whilst children in Year Four learn to play basic ukelele. Year 6 pupils are provided with lots of opportunities to apply their musical techniques and skills taught during their time in Key Stage 2 and are provided with cross curricular music based projects which involve and combine music, literacy and drama. 

Lacey Green has been part of the Wider Opportunities Scheme for many years. All children in Year Five learn to play brass instruments such as cornets, trumpets, baritone horns, euphoniums or trombones. A specialist brass tutor, Mr Curtin, visits Lacey Green each week and instructs the children in these sessions.

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Key Stage Music Assemblies 

Weekly music assemblies also take place within both key stages and develop pupils' appreciation, listening and singing skills. In our junior assemblies, we encourage children to develop their listening and appraisal skills as well as developing their 'Cultural Capital'. Each half term, we concentrate upon learning about different composers, instruments and musical styles.

Instrumental Music  

Steel Drums              

We are fortunate to have a complete set of Steel Drums in school, which were kindly donated to school in memory of a pupil, Louis Rashford, who was tragically killed in a road accident. We have four groups ranging from the beginners in Year Three to more experienced group in Year Six.  The senior band has previously played at events wihin the local community and the children enjoy performing to the public. The senior steel band group has previously won the Cheshire East Primary Music Competiton at the Royal Northern College of Music and the 'Walsh Cup' in the Alderley Edge Music Festival. The steel band were also invited by Steven Roberts, Musical Director of Sing Live, to play at a concert at the Bridgewater Hall.

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Choir

The school has a well established history of having a very strong junior choir which meets regularly at specific times during the year. Last year, post Covid, the choir was able to recommence its rehearsals and begin singing again. All children who wish to join the choir are auditioned and the number of choir members usually exceeds 60 as this is indeed, 'A Singing School'. We pride ourselves on the quality of the singing we achieve. Post Covid, the choir performed  at many seasonal events within the local community over the years and has enjoy sharing the school's love of singing. Over time, we hope to resteablish our community links by performing at local community events once again. During this last year, the children sang during our school concerts, performances and events as well as enjoying performing at 'Wilmslow Garden Centre' and 'Wilmslow Library' where their singing was enjoyed by all.

In 2017, the junior choir won the Love Music Trust Primary Junior Choir heats and went on to the final where they performed superbly coming a fantastic second place. Their performance was outstanding! The current choir hopes to be able to emulate the same high standards.

Musical Events and Opportunities

Pupils take part in local music festivals and competitions, enabling them to share their musical activities with other children and audiences. The children also perform in the Harvest festival, Christingle and Carol services, Easter service and end of year performances. Children are provided with additional musical experiences where possible for example,  all children across the school were provided with at least one a number of African Drumming workshops led by DrumRoots. The engagement of our children in these and the subsequent outcomes were excelent. Year 5 pupils were invited to attend a recent 'Youth Concert' at the Bridgewater Hall where they enjoyed listening to a professional orchestra in a world renowned concert hall.

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The impact of Music on our pupils (Curriculum Impact)

  • Children thoroughly engage in, enjoy music and are happy learners within Music. They experience a wide-ranging number of learning challengesin the art and know how to respond to them appropriately 
  • Children of all abilities and backgrounds achieve very well in Music, which is reflected in outstanding progress that reveals a clear learning journey. Chidlren talk enthusiastically  about their learning in Music 
  • There is a proven track record of outstanding outcomes as shown in pupils' musical ability, their music performances and their enjoyment of the subject.These indicators reflectthe impact of deep learning.
  • Clear outcomes focus and guide all Music development plans and drive improvement.
  • Music runs through the yearly calendar of key events a nd supports the celebration of of many key events and festivals within school and pupils positively contribute to and support community, public and private events, and celebrations.
  • Children either meet or exceed the National Curriculum expectations in Music.

Ofsted said ....

"we have praise for …. “the high quality of music we have heard during the inspection.”
“high quality teaching to all pupils builds on the children’s natural ability.”

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Lacey Green Primary Academy
Barlow Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 4DP

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