Music at Our Lady's
On our most recent Ofsted report (January 2019), the inspector noted that "Music is a particular strength at Our Lady's, and pupils appreciate the opportunities they have to learn different instruments and take part in concerts."
At Our Lady's, we use 'Charanga' to help deliver the Music curriculum. This is an online scheme that covers all interrelated dimensions of music and shows progression in listening, appraising, performing, composing and improvising.
In line with the curriculum for music and guidance from Ofsted, this Scheme moves away from the previous levels and learning objective/outcome concepts to an integrated, practical, exploratory and child-led approach to musical learning.
Each Unit of Work comprises the of strands of musical learning which correspond with the national curriculum for music:
- Listening and Appraising
- Musical Activities
- Warm-up Games
- Optional Flexible Games
- Singing
- Playing instruments
- Improvisation
- Composition
- Performing
Alongside Charanga, children at Our Lady's also have the opportunity to learn music from specialist teachers.
In Year 4, we learn Gospel Singing with Mel Burke from Accent Music Hub. This is a vibrant singing curriculum where children focus on their performance skills and get to show off at the end of the year with a fabulous Gospel performance at Liverpool Cathedral alongside other choirs.
In Year 5, we have keyboard lessons with Fran Sixsmith. The children learn to read music as well as performing regularly for the whole school and parents.
Websites to use at home
www.accentmusiceducationhub.co.uk - Warrington Music Hub
www.bbc.co.uk - KS1 games and videos
www.bbc.co.uk - KS2 games and videos
www.youtube.com/supersimplesongs - Lovely videos of nursery rhymes and other songs to sing with your children