Music at Pucklechurch

Curriculum Intent

We aim for our children to: 

• Aspire to a deep knowledge and enjoyment of music, both in music lessons and by participating in religious and non religious events and performances during the year, as well as through weekly whole- school singing worships
• Believe in their practical ability to learn a musical instrument each year and express themselves through musical compositions and improvisiations 
• Achieve good levels of skills and knowledge and leave Pucklechurch with a love of music, making it a fundamental art of their continuing education and personal life.

In the words of Beethoven, "Music can change the world" which is a key message we want to instil in our children.

Curriculum Implementation

Pupils in years 1-6 receive regular music lessons taught by either the class teacher following the Charanga music program or by music specialist teachers, who tutor the children in musical instruments. Pupils are taught through a developmental curriculum, rooted in singing and practical music making, designed to nurture and challenge all pupils to become accomplished musicians.

We believe that all pupils should have the opportunity to learn an instrument: On a rolling program, all children will have the opportunity at some stage to learn a musical instrument, such as the flute, j-sax, ukulele or recorder. The national curriculum programmes of study for music are taught through the learning of these instruments. This is a springboard to taking up other instruments and honing broader musicianship skills. Individual peripatetic music lessons are also available at school, paid for privately. Currently, piano and guitar lessons are available.

Performances form an integral part of our academic calendar and offer children a range of experiences, from performing in front of peers in assembly to singing in large-scale school shows. The school choir is open to children from Y1-6 and they perform in the local church and at local festivals.

Singing Class Worships take place each Tuesday - during COVID, restrictions on singing have meant that we have instead focused on sign-language singing, which has proved very popular and enabled the children to learn a new, unexpected skill!. During these assemblies, the children learn new songs based on a range of themes, from our school values to our Christian ethos and songs linked to important areas, such as mental health and growth mindset. We also encourage children to perform at the beginning and end of these assemblies - a great way for children to test out their pieces in front of an audience before a grade exam or simply to perform something they are proud of!

Impact

Our children will have access to a range of different musical opportunities from South Gloucestershire Music Hub provision such as ukulele, recorders and violin. Alongside these music lessons , taught by specialist teachers, we also use Charanga, where the children explore a broad range of music genres and practise using musical vocabulary during listening and appraising opportunities.  This will allow them to develop as confident musicians who experience and develop their musical knowledge.