Hawkesley Church Primary Academy

Music Intent, Implementation, and Impact Statement

Intent

At Hawkesley Church Primary Academy, our intent for the music curriculum is to foster a lifelong love of music, develop musical understanding and skills, and enhance students’ creativity and self-expression. We aim to provide all pupils, regardless of background or ability, with rich musical experiences that cultivate:

1. Cultural Awareness: Exposure to a diverse range of musical genres and cultural traditions, promoting an appreciation for global music.
2. Skill Development: Progressive skill acquisition in singing, instrumental performance, composition, and improvisation, aligned with the Charanga Music Scheme.
3. Confidence and Collaboration: Opportunities for individuals to perform and work collaboratively, building confidence and social skills through group music-making.
4. Critical Listening and Evaluation: Development of critical listening skills and the ability to reflect on one’s own work and that of others.

These intentions align with the National Curriculum for Music and the Charanga Music Scheme, designed to enhance the holistic development of all pupils.

Implementation

We implement our music curriculum through a carefully sequenced programme that combines practical musical experiences with theoretical understanding, using the Charanga Music Scheme as a core resource. The key features of our implementation are:

1. Curriculum Design: Our music curriculum is structured around the principles of progression, ensuring that knowledge and skills build year-on-year. We utilise the Charanga Music Scheme to deliver a thematic approach that integrates music with other subjects, fostering connections and relevance.
2. Inclusive Teaching Practices: We employ differentiated teaching methods to cater to the diverse needs of our pupils. The Charanga Music Scheme provides a variety of resources that support accessible learning for all abilities.
3. Expert Instruction and Professional Development: Our music lessons for years 3, 4, 5, and 6 are delivered by Birmingham Services to Education, ensuring that each class learns an instrument. We also provide ongoing professional development, including support from the Charanga training modules. We invite local musicians and organisations into the school to provide workshops and inspirational masterclasses. Years 5-6 pupils also have access to participate in RockSteady Music school lessons, where they learn to play an instrument as part of a band.
4. Performance Opportunities: Regular opportunities are provided for pupils to perform in front of an audience, from class assemblies to larger school concerts. These events celebrate musical achievements and instil a sense of pride and belonging, complemented by the performance resources within the Charanga scheme. Hawkesley hosts a termly Music concert, which includes performances from all year groups, including song, brass, wind and RockSteady bands (even the Staff perform too!).
5. Curricular Enrichment: We enhance the music curriculum with extracurricular activities, including choir, instrumental lessons, extra-curricular opportunities through Rocksteady and small group tuition on Ukuleles/Guitars and participation in local music festivals and competitions, underpinned by the foundations established in the Charanga Music Scheme, as delivered by musical experts from Service for Education practitioners.

Impact

The impact of our music curriculum at Hawkesley is evidenced through:

1. Pupil Engagement and Enjoyment: Surveys and feedback reflect high levels of enjoyment and enthusiasm for music among pupils. They demonstrate a willingness to take risks, express themselves, and participate in musical activities inspired by the Charanga Music Scheme.
2. Skill Development: Assessments show that pupils make significant progress in their musical skills, as evidenced by performance assessments, compositions, and their ability to engage critically with music, particularly in areas highlighted by Charanga.
3. Cultural Appreciation: Pupils exhibit an informed appreciation of a wide range of musical styles and traditions, demonstrating cultural awareness through discussions and projects, with specific references to the diverse genres explored in the Charanga curriculum.
4. Community Involvement: The school’s music programme fosters strong links with the community, evidenced by participation in community events and the engagement of parents in school performances.
5. Holistic Development: Music education contributes to pupils’ personal development, demonstrated through increased self-esteem, improved social skills, and enhanced emotional well-being, nurtured through the inclusive practices of the Charanga Music Scheme.

Our commitment to providing an outstanding music education is reflected in the positive outcomes for our pupils, illustrating that music is not just an area of learning but a vital dimension of their overall education at Hawkesley.

It is our vision – through the teaching of Music, with opportunities to learn, create, perform, worship and celebrate  – that the children of Hawkesley Church Primary Academy experience the joys of Music through artistic expression and individual interpretation; the Bible says, ‘Let everybody enjoy the free liberty of thinking for himself’.