Intent:

Music plays a major role in the ethos of our school. We aim to develop a love of listening to, performing and composing music in a variety of ways and provide children with the opportunity to share their developing expertise with others. Our curriculum is designed to meet the aims of the National Curriculum ensuring that all children get to perform, listen to, review and evaluate a range of music, play a musical instrument, use technology, learn to sing and develop a strong understanding of musical theory. We ensure our music lessons are fun, engaging and inclusive.  We have a number of musical opportunities for all children, including Riverside Rockers and Medway Music Association events. 

Implementation:

We allocate 1 hour a week for all pupils in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 for curriculum music lessons every term. Our school music curriculum is informed by the Model Music curriculum (March 2021) for Key Stages 1 and 2. We are able to offer children whole-class ensemble music lessons in Key Stage 2 due to funding from the Kent Music Hub. Children in year 3 have the opportunity to learn the djembe drums, children in year 4 learn the ocarina, children in year 5 learn the recorder and children in year 6 learn the ukulele. Additionally, children in year 1 receive a 6-week music program from Kent Music which is also delivered by an outside teacher. This exposes the children to a range of percussion instruments and develops their listening skills. We develop children’s appreciation of a range of music styles and composers by selecting a musician of the week who accompanies children into assembly weekly. We extend this through discussions in class, focusing on particular elements of learning such as tempo and these sessions are known as Music Mondays. During these sessions, children are encouraged to use musical vocabulary to verbally express their opinions. We also work alongside Medway Music Association to provide children with performance opportunities both for singing and instruments.  

Children are given the opportunity to attend a school choir, which practices songs to perform at school fetes and other school events. This opportunity is open to children from Key Stage 2. Being a part of a multi-academy trust we also have the opportunity to work with the other primary and secondary schools within the trust on joint projects such as the Shakespeare in schools project. 

Within the school year there are opportunities for musical experiences and performances for all year groups. All children perform a song as part of their class assembly. In foundation stage and Key Stage 1 children perform songs as part of their Christmas Production. In Reception, it is a Nativity and in Key Stage 1 it is a Pantomime. Key Stage 2 Children participate in the carols around the tree celebration at the end of Term 2. In Year 2 in addition to the class assembly and pantomime, children receive the opportunity to perform at the Central Theatre in Chatham as part of the annual Key Stage 1 choral festival. In Year 3 children perform a class song as part of the Harvest Festival Assembly. In Year 4 children perform the ocarina to their parents. In Year 5 children perform as part of the recorder ensemble at the Central Theatre in Chatham. In Year 6 children perform at the Carols at the Cathedral celebration at Rochester Cathedral. 

Impact:

Music is a subject that allows everybody to come together through a variety of opportunities to listen, appraise, perform and compose.  We hope that children leave Riverside with an increased interest in music and a desire to continue as a listener, performer and composer. After having so many opportunities and experiences to perform, the children will leave Riverside with high aspirations and prior knowledge of the performing industry. The children will have an understanding of a wide range of musicians, music genres, technology and instruments. This will contribute to their own identity, establishing their own musical interests. Children will leave Riverside with an understanding of musical theory and composition, allowing them the freedom to explore independently, creating their own journey within music. They will be fully prepared for secondary school music lessons, by meeting all of the aims set out in the Music National Curriculum.