Our Nether Edge music curriculum meets the expectations set out in the National Curriculum (2014). It inspires children to develop a love of music and the skills of musicians. Children engage critically with music, showing thoughtful listening skills and using the musical canon to compose and perform their own music.

Our music curriculum is supported and enhanced by the Sheffield Music Hub. Expert music teachers come into school to lead excellent, high-quality sessions with our children. Pupils from Year 4 to Year 6 have the opportunity to learn to play glockenspiel and violin. The musical skills that they learn are then applied to the class teacher-led sessions. For example, during our immersive music days, children will use the skills they have already learnt to confidently create and perform music. Pupils in year 3 also have the opportunity to learn recorder, which will be led by class teachers after training from the music hub. In addition to this, Year 1 and 2 have singing lessons in class, led by the class teacher based on previous guidance from the hub.

Our curriculum enables children to listen and appreciate musical performance, as well as having the tools to review and evaluate it. Through the curriculum children will learn different genres, styles and traditions of music. They will create and compose their own music, through exploring musical instruments and musical technology through Purple Mash. Musicianship, singing and playing instruments can be seen throughout our curriculum, alongside learning about creation, production and communication of music (pitch, duration, dynamics etc.). Children are exposed to the history of music and those who have made notable contributions to music. Our high-quality music curriculum aims to engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music, as well as their talent as musicians. As a result, their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement grows. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination. This develops their understanding of equalities, as well as developing their passion for music.

We plan for children to have the opportunity to perform, both in and out of school. For example, in singing assemblies, Christmas performances and trips out of school, such as the One Voice performance in Year 5. In addition, our school choir practises each week and performs at local, community events.

We want:

• Oracy supporting understanding of music
• Children who can articulate well through speaking;
• Children who recognise and appreciate the achievements of others;
• Music curriculum teaching to alter children’s long term memory.