Our Intent for Music

At SS Peter & Paul Primary, we believe that music plays a vital role not only in children’s musical learning but in their social, emotional, cultural and spiritual development too. Our aim is for children to develop their general musicianship skills to a high standard, to experience the joy of live music and to foster a lifelong love of music. Through the effective teaching and learning of musical knowledge, skills and understanding we will stimulate children’s curiosity, interest and enjoyment of music. We will teach the National Curriculum requirements for music through the use of a wide range of online and published resources. Wherever possible we will make meaningful links with other curriculum subjects.

 

Children at SS Peter and Paul Primary will have opportunities and experiences to express themselves through music and to participate in performances, in turn increasing their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. Through listening to a variety of high quality recorded and live music, they will understand the value and importance of music across different time periods, cultures (including their own) and in the wider community. We will endeavour to take children on a musical journey around the world and celebrate a diverse range of musical styles, genres and artists to ensure that the cultural capital of our children is both broad and varied and relevant to them as individuals. Alongside this we will promote British Values through fostering mutual respect and tolerance of the diversity in music and encouraging democracy by showing appreciation of individuals’ personal music preferences.

We intend that our children should master music to such an extent that they have the confidence to join bands or choirs and engage in musical activities beyond primary school. All children play both tuned and untuned percussion instruments and have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. In KS2 children learn to play the recorder, djembe drum, ukulele and keyboard as part of the Whole Class Ensemble Tuition initiative, following the process of rehearsal to performance. Children from Years 4-6 can join the school choir which performs at the annual Merton SingFest, Christmas Carol Service, Summer Concert and the Summer Fair.

We intend that by using their skills, knowledge and experiences gained in their primary education, children will be able to involve themselves in music in a variety of contexts and make use of music effectively in their everyday lives to benefit their personal wellbeing, mental health, social interactions and relationships. A stimulating and varied programme of musical activities extends opportunities for our children beyond the classroom. We subscribe to the Merton Music Foundation package which offers bespoke projects, for example the ‘Music is for Life’ project at the Royal Albert Hall and Jazz Concerts in partnership with the Lincoln Jazz Centre in New York. MMF provide specialist music teaching delivered by peripatetic tutors; individual instrumental lessons currently include piano and guitar. Rocksteady Music School teach sessions in school which focus on group music making and popular music. We also have a long-standing partnership with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment who deliver KS1 and 2 projects to Years 2 and 4; these involve practical workshops in school delivered by professional musicians and culminate in a final performance with the orchestra in London.

Music at SS Peter and Paul

At SS Peter & Paul Primary, we believe that music plays a vital role not only in children’s musical learning but in their social, emotional and cultural development too. Our aim is for children to develop their general musicianship skills to a high standard, to experience the joy of live music and to foster a lifelong love of music.

From Nursery through to Year 6, music is taught by the specialist music teacher. Lessons are based on the new Model Music Curriculum which focuses on the development of key musical skills including singing, listening, composing and performing, including instrumental performance. In EYFS, children engage in musical exploration and expression whilst in KS1 there is an emphasis on singing and playing instruments with control and accuracy. In KS2 children further their understanding of the musical elements of rhythm, pitch, dynamics, tempo, timbre and texture. Children learn about famous composers and the historical and cultural contexts of music from a broad range of musical genres from classical to reggae.

All children play both tuned and untuned percussion instruments and have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. In KS2 children learn to play the recorder, keyboard and ukulele as part of the Whole Class Ensemble Tuition initiative, following the process of rehearsal to performance.

We place singing at the heart of our music curriculum. Children are taught using the Voices Foundation Methodology which emphasizes accurate pitch matching and articulation whilst encouraging good vocal health. Children sing a range of songs in both one and two parts to develop their understanding of harmony. We hold weekly singing assemblies where KS 1 & 2 sing songs of praise and worship.

There is a clear and systematic development of musical skills throughout the year groups. For instance, children begin their learning journey by making marks to show short and long sounds, progressing to the use of formal rhythm notation to depict different note durations. Lessons are adapted to consider the needs of our students and where relevant are linked to topics to provide opportunities for cross-curricular learning.

We subscribe to the Merton Music Foundation package which offers bespoke projects and provides specialist music teaching delivered by peripatetic tutors; individual instrumental lessons currently include piano and guitar. Rocksteady Music School teach sessions in school which focus on group music making and popular music.

We hold events during the academic year in which we celebrate and share our music learning, including the Year 5 & 6 Christmas Carol Concert and the Summer Concert. Our school choir performs at the Merton Singfest organised in collaboration with other local schools.

Children also have opportunities to participate in musical activities within the wider community. Through our partnership with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, children engage in musical projects which involve practical workshops with professional musicians and culminate in live concerts in London.

Want to learn an instrument?

Merton Music Foundation (MMF) offer instrumental tuition. Watch the video below to find out more.