At Ducklington Primary School, we believe that every child should have access to a dynamic music curriculum, where skills and knowledge are developed year on year. Children will learn to express themselves through music, while gaining an understanding of the wider impact music has across different communities and cultures. It is important that our children gain an understanding of the historical impact of music through listening to the music of Great Composers, as well as developing appreciation for a variety of more contemporary music genres eg Jazz, rock, hip-hop and more. We are committed to ensuring that our children are able to use their musical knowledge / experience in a wide range of contexts through ‘in-school’ performances. We intend to widen our offer of musical instrument tuition through closer links with OCMS.
The music scheme, “Music Express” is at the heart of the classroom music teaching at Ducklington. This provides all children with the opportunity to sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate in a variety of musical styles / genres. In addition to this, children experience large group singing at our weekly singing assemblies. Year 3 currently learn an instrument with a visiting teacher from OCMS. The elements of music are taught in the classroom lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to dissect it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed. They also learn how to compose focussing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music. Composing or performing using body percussion and vocal sounds is also part of the curriculum, which develops the understanding of musical elements without the added complexity of an instrument.
Whilst in school, our children have access to a varied music programme, which allows them to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. We aim to make the music curriculum accessible to all children, regardless of ability, so all our children will experience a sense achievement, self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others, and self-reflection. Through music, children will also develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to themselves as individuals, as well as ethnicities from across the world. Children are able to enjoy music in as many ways as they choose- either as listener, creator or performer. They can dissect music and comprehend its parts. They can sing and feel a pulse. They have an understanding of how to further develop skills less known to them, should they ever develop an interest in their lives.