Music
Statement of Curriculum Intent for Music
At BCF we believe that music is a powerful tool for learning, expression and change. It is a form of communication that entertains, expresses thoughts and feelings, and significantly benefits social, emotional and health development. Its contributions to wider intelligence and achievement are well researched and proven. It is a strongly held belief by staff and children at the school that music education is for all and we believe that every child is a musician. We view music as a creative force that impacts every aspect of our lives, regardless of our circumstances.
Through our music curriculum we aim to:
- Enable every child to become better musicians
- Develop a passion and curiosity for music
- Create units of work that cover the National Curriculum programmes of study
- Develop pupil knowledge, skills and understanding through sessions that include playing, singing, performing, composing, listening and responding
- Enrich and support work in other areas of the curriculum through cross curricular teaching
- Promote our pupils' emotional, social, spiritual and cultural development through music.
Curriculum Implementation
Throughout the federation, music is taught in a cross-curricular manner, through weekly subject specific lessons taught by a specialist and music focussed assemblies.
As children move through the schools we provide opportunities for all children to create, play, perform and enjoy music, to develop the skills, to appreciate a wide variety of musical forms, explore historical contexts and to begin to make judgements about the quality of music. We also offer a range of free musical enrichment opportunities underpinning our ‘music for all’ ethos.
All our pupils will be given opportunities to:
- Develop musically at a pace that is appropriate for them as a learner
- Communicate their ideas and feelings about music through movement, musical vocabulary and the expressive arts
- Listen and respond to a wide range of live and recorded music
- Explore musical ideas through composition
- Learn about the musical elements of pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, texture, timbre and structure
- Play tuned and untuned instruments
- Sing as a school ensemble, in class music lessons and, where relevant, in other curriculum areas
- Perform independently, as a class and in smaller ensembles to a variety of audiences
- Take part in dramatic productions that include music
- Take up playing of a musical instrument
- Participate in music-based clubs and music enrichment groups.
Curriculum Impact
The impact of our Music curriculum is evidenced in multiple ways.
Our music curriculum is successful when our children:
- speak confidently about the musical learning, progress and experiences they have within school
- produce creative responses to their musical experiences
- make connections in their learning, to prior learning, cross-curricular links and external experiences
- experience challenge and success, regardless of their starting points
- develop a sense of belonging to the school and community
- show resilience and confidence in their musical learning
- build positive relationships with others by learning and connecting through music.
Garland Junior School is a lead primary school for music in Berkshire and works closely with The Berkshire Music Trust as part of the lead schools team. Garland Junior School is music lead for the BLDP (Berkshire Leading Development Partnership) and also a Music Mark School.
Music Mark is the UK Association for Music Education, championing and supporting access to music for all children and young people. In receiving this certification our school pledges to:
- Advocate for the importance of music education in the curriculum and creative life of our school
- Provide an equitable, diverse and inclusive music education for every young person
- Welcome opportunities to broaden our musical horizons by working with providers in our community and beyond
We are a Lead School for Music - find out more here
In receiving this certification our school pledges to:
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Advocate for the importance of music education in the curriculum and creative life of our school
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Provide an equitable, diverse and inclusive music education for every young person
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Welcome opportunities to broaden our musical horizons by working with providers in our community and beyond.
Long Term Overview
National Curriculum
Has your child has expressed an interest in learning an instrument?
Garland Junior School currently offer woodwind, brass, keyboard, guitar & ukulele lessons, within school time, but there are many other instruments available and lessons can be arranged at local music centres in Reading and Thatcham. In school, woodwind, piano and brass lessons are provided by Berkshire Music Trust and guitar lessons by Music Guru, at a cost to parents.
Help with Fees
If you need financial assistance, discounts are available at Berkshire Music Trust for certain groups e.g. looked after children, services families, pupil premium and SEND pupils. A Greenham Trust Music Bursary is also available for pupils at primary schools in West Berkshire, offering a £70 termly subsidy on lessons. To qualify for the Greenham Trust Music Bursary , your child must not be in receipt of Pupil Premium and you must have a gross household monthly income of less than £3,900 per calendar month (or £46,800pa).
Not sure what instrument to choose?
Click the link below to take the Berkshire Music Trust quiz to see what instruments may be right for you!
https://www.berksmusictrust.org.uk/music/instruments/
What parents and carers need to do next:
To register your child, please click on one of the links below and fill the registration form.
Guitar lessons & ukulele club
https://musicgurulessons.co.uk/
Berkshire Music Trust - all other instruments:
https://www.berksmusictrust.org.uk/music/music-lessons/apply-for-lessons/
Please contact the school office for more details or queries about the process.