Music development plan summary: Jubilee Primary School

Overview

This is a summary of how our school delivers music education to all our pupils across three areas – curriculum music, co-curricular provision and musical experiences – and what changes we are planning in future years. This information is to help pupils and parents or carers understand what our school offers and who we work with to support our pupils’ music education.  

Part A: Curriculum music

This is about what we teach in lesson time, how much time is spent teaching music and any music qualifications or awards that pupils can achieve.

Music is taught in class every week and is informed by the model music curriculum (March 2021). Lessons are a minimum of 30 minutes and are taught by class teachers, with the exception of Year 6 who are receiving teaching from an outside music specialist. Teaching is supported by the Music Express curriculum scheme of work.

This music learning is further supplemented by singing assemblies 3 times a month for key stages 1 and 2 lasting at least 20 minutes. As well as singing, these assemblies provide opportunities to hear a variety of live instruments played by staff and visitors.

During each term, a particular genre of music is the focus at the start and end of every assembly. The music style and instrumentation is briefly discussed to get children to appreciate and engage with a wider range of music. This may be extended during the Singing Assembly and Music Moments.

Children have opportunities to play instruments in all year groups. In key stage 2, children focus on learning one instrument for a year:

Year 3 – recorder

Year 4 - djembe drum

Year 5 – glockenspiel

Year 6 – ukulele

In Years 3-5, children supplement their music education by completing units using the Music Express curriculum. In year 6, children receive ukulele lessons from a specialist Kent Music teacher. These lessons are for the entire year. Key stage 2 students have opportunities to share what they have learned in assemblies throughout the year. This year, we are planning to have an afterschool performance to debut all our instrumental learning to parents.

In the future

In future years, our Music Development Plan aims to achieve the following:

• Introduction of a wider range of instruments on offer for small group or individual lessons.
• Improve children’s musical vocabulary from EYFS to year 6.
• Further develop performance opportunities for our young musicians throughout the school year.

Increase opportunities for children to hear high-quality live music performances.

Part C: Musical experiences

This is about all the other musical events and opportunities that we organise, such as singing in assembly, concerts and shows, and trips to professional concerts.

Children will have the opportunity to perform or experience high quality music this academic year. Please see below for a list of those opportunities:

• Year 4 to deliver Harvest Festival Assembly to whole school and parents performing songs.
• Year 4-6 choir members to take part in Young Voices concert at the O2 Arena in January 2025.
• Key stage 1 to perform Nativity play to whole school and parents.
• Key stage 2 to organise Christmas Carol Service. Solo opportunities available for confident singers in upper key stage 2.
• Singing groups to perform at Pilgrims’ Way Nursing Home. (Aiming for 3 visits within the year).
• Choir, ensembles and soloists to perform at our new annual Musical Showcase in May.
• Year 6 to perform an end of year musical.
• Years 5 and 6 to see a West End musical in London.

Part B: Co-curricular music

This is about opportunities for pupils to sing and play music, outside of lesson time, including choirs, ensembles and bands, and how pupils can make progress in music beyond the core curriculum.

At Jubilee Primary School, we currently offer individual and small-group lessons on violin and cello through a private music tutor with instruments rented from Kent Music. These lessons are available for key stage 2. The teacher visits the school weekly and teaches children in a private classroom.

Across the year, both key stages have opportunities to join the school choir. In terms 1 and 2, the choir is just for key stage 2 as they prepare to take part in their Young Voices concert. From term 3 onwards, it is available to all ages. We are looking into providing additional music ensemble clubs this year.

Individual and small group lessons are funded by parents, however for those children who are Pupil Premium, these lessons can be subsidised by Pupil Premium provision. Choir club is free and accessible to all children.