Music at Holy Family

Intent

At The Holy Family School, we aim to make music an enjoyable experience for pupils of all abilities.  As a vehicle for personal expression it promotes emotional development, encourages creativity and thereby makes a valuable contribution to the wider curriculum; it builds self respect and supports developing self control and positive social attitudes. We strive to cultivate a real enjoyment of music by supporting and encouraging all children to achieve their full potential.

Music is an important part of our daily worship and the children know, and sing with enthusiasm, a wide variety of hymns and sacred songs.

Our music specialist comes into school one day a week to teach music to the whole school; teaching the children to make music together, to understand musical notation, and to compose pieces. As well as music lessons with each class, our music specialist runs weekly whole school singing sessions in the form of hymn practise for Reception to Year 6.  

In addition to the normal music teaching, children are offered the opportunity to study a musical instrument with peripatetic teachers. These lessons are normally taught to individuals or small groups.  Piano is the instrument currently available to learn. 

The talents of our children are frequently shared with the wider school community, with a variety of musical celebrations happening across the school year, eg Christmas and Easter productions, end of term concerts, class assemblies.

At The Holy Family Catholic Primary School we follow the National Curriculum Programmes of study for Music, and it is our aim that in Music our pupils:-

• To develop an enjoyment of music by providing an opportunity to listen to a variety of music and play a variety of instruments, both individually and co-operatively.
• To provide opportunities for the children to sing a wide variety of songs and to use their voices expressively.
• To enhance and extend children’s musical skills, understanding and knowledge with reference to the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and National Curriculum guidelines.
• To promote children’s social development through involvement in listening to, participating in and responding to group music making.
• To develop children’s cultural and spiritual awareness by providing opportunities for listening and responding to different types of music.
• To develop the learning skills of productive listening and concentration, composing and performing for different audiences, appraising and evaluating their own and others’ work.
• To offer opportunities to perform with others, with an awareness of audience.

Early Years

During the Early Years, music is recognised as not only a creative subject, but as a means of personal development and expression.  Opportunities are provided for children to independently access instruments to create, develop, perform and enjoy music whilst adult led activities develop skills to appreciate a variety of musical forms and make judgements about music using basic musical terms and respond rhythmically to music. Children regularly take part in singing and rhythmic games.

Resources and Websites to support children's learning