Music at The Leys

Vision

For children to listen to and enjoy all kinds of music, whilst developing the confidence, creativity and ability to express themselves musically.

Intent

Music is a foundation subject in the National Curriculum and in line with this curriculum we want to ensure all children;

Music Development Plan Summary 2024-25

Implementation

Like many other Hertfordshire Schools, the staff teach music using the Charanga Scheme as our core resource. This online platform contains a rich collection of resources covering all curricular requirements of the National Curriculum for Music for students aged 5–16. It allows non specialist teachers to select from a range of individual songs and pieces when teaching their class to listen, sing, play and compose.

In Early Years, children have opportunities to make music during Child Initiated Play and become more aware of different sounds in the environment. They start to learn to listen to patterns and music, including repeating and creating them. They also sing songs and nursery rhymes, as part of a whole class activities and during assemblies. In Key Stage 1 children start to play both tuned and untuned instruments and learn about pulse, rhythm and pitch. They also have opportunities to compose using body percussion, voice and instruments and start to record these pieces using their own notation.

In Key Stage 2, children are introduced to traditional musical notation and play a wider range of instruments. In year 4 they learn to play the recorder and in year 5 the ukulele. They continue to develop their composition skills and are introduced to the idea of composing using computer software. Children throughout the school sing and we have a specialist singing teacher who works across the school on a Wednesday afternoon. Also as part of our Upper and Lower school assemblies we introduce a Musician/s of the Month and children learn about and listen to the music of famous musicians and composers.

Year 4 learning to play
'The Eye of the Tiger' on recorder.

Year 6 Singing in the hall.

Year 5 learning to play the ukulele.

Subject Overview 2024-25

Available to view here

Resources

We are fortunate to have a specialist music room where both peripatetic and whole class lessons take place. This is equipped with a range of tuned and untuned instruments; including drums, shakers, glockenspiels, tambourines, a keyboard and boomwhackers.

Impact

Pupil Voice

I like singing 'Shake it Off'
Year 2

Music gets me feeling good'
Year 3

‘I love music, it makes me feel like I’m in a good dream'
Year 4

iRock is fun because you get to play lots of different instruments.'
Year 5


Music is really fun as you get to interact with the group.'
Year 5


Extra Curricular Opportunities

In addition to the whole class music lessons we have peripatetic music lessons for individual children and small groups of children.

The Hertfordshire Music Service delivers individual piano lessons on a Tuesday.

The Musical Theatre group rehearsing after school for their end of term performance.

iRock groups rehearsing in our Music room.

We have We Create Music delivering small group Guitar and Ukulele lessons on a Wednesday, iRock delivers group lessons on a Thursday and we also have a Musical Theatre Club after school on a Thursday.

Useful Websites

Parents can contact both iRock and We Create Music directly through their websites to book their children into music lessons.


The Leys Primary & Nursery School

Ripon Road, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 4QZ.
01438 314148
admin@leys.herts.sch.uk

Copyright © 2024 - The Leys Primary & Nursery School
Headteacher:  Mrs D Khangura
Chair of Governors:  Mrs Marina Stone