“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato 

INTENT

At Ambler, music is highly valued as part of the broader curriculum. We passionately believe that music can be transformational for children and we want to give children the richest musical experience imaginable. 

We ensure that music is as practical as possible, and children are provided with opportunities to explore and develop their musical skills, through a range of different experiences. Children will sing, play, compose and perform using their voice and variety of musical instruments. They will learn about influential musicians and explore how music differs in cultures all around the world.

The National Curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:

• perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians
• learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence
• understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.

However, we want to make sure that not only do we teach children the skills covered in the national curriculum but we also instil in them a passion and enthusiasm for music that they will carry with them long after they have left the school. 

IMPLEMENTATION

Children have a dedicated one hour music lesson every week. To ensure music is taught to the highest possible standard, we use music specialists to deliver lessons for children from EYFS up to Y6. Children have a high quality experience, where they learn to use a range of instruments such as recorders, ukuleles, drums, xylophones as well as their own voices. 

Where possible, children will make links between their music lessons and their current topic. They may also explore links to significant events such as Black History Month. They will learn about significant musicians throughout history and the impact that they have had on popular culture.

Lessons are designed using the school’s skills progression map, ensuring that children build on what they have been learning as they continue through the school.

Throughout their time at Ambler, children will have numerous opportunities to take part in musical performances. These include whole school performances, such as for Christmas or Black history month or performing in a show for which they have to audition.

Children will have the chance to develop their musical skills beyond what is contained in the national curriculum. Every child who wants to learn an instrument will have the opportunity. 

IMPACT

The impact of our curriculum will allow children to leave Ambler with an understanding and enthusiasm for music. They will have been provided with the opportunity to learn an instrument and develop their music experiences beyond what is contained in the national curriculum. Children will have developed the skills they need to take into secondary schools to pursue specific musical interests that they may have. They will have had a range of opportunities to perform in front of an audience and will feel confident in demonstrating their musical skills to others.