Charanga Music at Kensworth
Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.
National Curriculum Music (2014)
National Curriculum Music (2014)
We have been extremely lucky to begin the Charanga Musical School scheme at Kensworth. Very kindly supported by our PTA in the purchase of instruments, the children have begun to take part in fun, interactive and focused music lessons.
Through the Musical School programme the children develop their understanding, make musical judgements, apply their new learning, develop their aural memory, express themselves physically, emotionally and through discussion and create their own musical ideas.
The activities and games cover the musical dimensions, (formerly elements – pulse, rhythm, pitch etc) through singing and playing instruments, listening and creating music – all intrinsically linked through a central song or piece.
They don't just learn about the music but are able to use their new skills to perform their chosen piece.
There are lots of different song choices for each year group as well as theme based songs for the children to learn in topic lessons - listen out for those at home and in our class assemblies!
Through the Musical School programme the children develop their understanding, make musical judgements, apply their new learning, develop their aural memory, express themselves physically, emotionally and through discussion and create their own musical ideas.
The activities and games cover the musical dimensions, (formerly elements – pulse, rhythm, pitch etc) through singing and playing instruments, listening and creating music – all intrinsically linked through a central song or piece.
They don't just learn about the music but are able to use their new skills to perform their chosen piece.
There are lots of different song choices for each year group as well as theme based songs for the children to learn in topic lessons - listen out for those at home and in our class assemblies!
Intent
Music is a highly valued subject and has equal status with all other Foundation Subjects.
Our intent with our Music curriculum is to give all children practical experiences so that they can enjoy all aspects of Music. Music is used to enhance learning in other curriculum areas, eg. times table raps/songs to embed knowledge; French songs to increase cultural awareness and develop vocabulary, etc.
We believe Music is an important part of our wider curriculum that gives children opportunities to express themselves in a less academic way than, for example, the basic skills of Reading, Writing and Maths.
Implementation
Our school curriculum is built upon the National Curriculum and our chosen scheme is Charanga. This was selected because it provides a clear progression of all the skills and knowledge that we are required to teach. Music is timetabled on a weekly basis, in addition to whole school/ class singing (collective worship, productions, etc.)
Many of our staff are non-specialist and it enables them to access the subject knowledge needed to be highly effective in their teaching of Music. We give the children wider opportunities to perform to a larger audience such as nativity production, harvest and easter service and end of year production.
We are confident that the design of Charanga provides clear progression in all four strands of Music. This progression enables formative assessment to further develop teaching and learning in Music. Charanga also gives clear indications of how to differentiate in lessons to challenge the more able. We endeavor to ensure that Music is not seen as a stand-alone subject but is incorporated into many other areas of our curriculum.
Impact
The impact of our Music curriculum is that when children leave Kensworth CE Academy, they will have a love of music and increased levels of self-confidence. They will be inspired by different genres of music, analyse music and compose a variety of music.
Music is a highly valued subject and has equal status with all other Foundation Subjects.
Our intent with our Music curriculum is to give all children practical experiences so that they can enjoy all aspects of Music. Music is used to enhance learning in other curriculum areas, eg. times table raps/songs to embed knowledge; French songs to increase cultural awareness and develop vocabulary, etc.
We believe Music is an important part of our wider curriculum that gives children opportunities to express themselves in a less academic way than, for example, the basic skills of Reading, Writing and Maths.
Implementation
Our school curriculum is built upon the National Curriculum and our chosen scheme is Charanga. This was selected because it provides a clear progression of all the skills and knowledge that we are required to teach. Music is timetabled on a weekly basis, in addition to whole school/ class singing (collective worship, productions, etc.)
Many of our staff are non-specialist and it enables them to access the subject knowledge needed to be highly effective in their teaching of Music. We give the children wider opportunities to perform to a larger audience such as nativity production, harvest and easter service and end of year production.
We are confident that the design of Charanga provides clear progression in all four strands of Music. This progression enables formative assessment to further develop teaching and learning in Music. Charanga also gives clear indications of how to differentiate in lessons to challenge the more able. We endeavor to ensure that Music is not seen as a stand-alone subject but is incorporated into many other areas of our curriculum.
Impact
The impact of our Music curriculum is that when children leave Kensworth CE Academy, they will have a love of music and increased levels of self-confidence. They will be inspired by different genres of music, analyse music and compose a variety of music.
The musical knowledge and skills covered in the Charanga units can be seen here:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Music in Reception
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Music in Reception
We carry God’s love in our hearts as we aspire to greatness, achieve our goals and stretch our limitless imaginations. Our Christian values empower us to love learning; are the foundations that shape our school community and create future citizens. Feeling happy and safe, we will progress. ‘For nothing will be impossible with God’ Luke 1:37
