Music Statement

Music

Our Goal                                                        Passion for Learning...

 At Bentley St Paul's, we want our all our children to have a passion for learning where they gain life – long learning skills; a sense of adventure; the ability to enquire and make emotional connections.  

Our Christian Values

Friendship, Forgiveness, Trust, Peace, Wisdom, Responsibility, Respect and Reverence underpin all that we do and are the foundations of our drivers.

Our Tools

Music - What we want the children to know:

At Bentley St Paul’s, we are committed to delivering a high-quality music education that aligns with our Christian ethos and nurtures the holistic development of our pupils. Our music curriculum aims to:

• Foster Cultural Appreciation: To enable pupils to appreciate, create, and enjoy music from a variety of cultures and traditions, fostering respect and understanding of cultural diversity within both the school community and wider society.
• Encourage Creativity and Expression: To provide opportunities for every child to express themselves creatively through music, allowing them to explore their emotions and thoughts in a safe and supportive environment.
• Develop Skills and Knowledge: To equip pupils with a comprehensive understanding of musical elements including pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and structure. We aim to cultivate both performance skills and theoretical understanding, enabling pupils to make informed musical choices.
• Promote Personal and Social Development: To use music as a medium for building teamwork, resilience, and confidence, thus promoting pupils’ social skills and emotional well-being.
• Support Spiritual Growth: To incorporate music as a way of engaging with our Christian values, providing a spiritual dimension to learning that enhances our collective worship and community ethos.

Music - How we teach:

At Bentley St Paul’s, our music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the classroom activities from EYFS through to year 6 as well as the weekly signing assemblies, various concerts and performances and the learning of instruments.

To achieve our intent, we employ Charanaga - a well-structured, inclusive and dynamic music programme that includes:

• Curriculum Design: Our music curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure progression in skills and knowledge across all year groups. It is designed to meet the National Curriculum requirements while integrating opportunities for creative composition and performance.
• Expert Teaching: We have links with Essex Music Services and specialist music teachers who are passionate and skilled in their craft. They use a variety of teaching methods, ensuring that all pupils, regardless of ability, engage meaningfully with music.
• Extracurricular Opportunities: We provide music related extracurricular activities, including choir, dance and drama clubs. This encourages pupils to explore diverse musical genres and styles outside the classroom.
• Regular Performances: Opportunities for performance within the school and wider community, including concerts, assemblies, and church services, allow pupils to showcase their talents and build confidence in public performance.
• Community Engagement: We collaborate with local musicians and organisations to enrich our curriculum and expose our pupils to live performances and professional musical contexts.
• Assessment and Feedback: We implement a robust assessment framework that monitors pupil progress in skills and knowledge. Regular formative feedback encourages self-reflection and continued improvement, while summative assessments inform instructional adjustments.

Music - Impact:

The implementation of our music programme has demonstrable impact on our pupils and the wider school community:

• Enhanced Musical Skills: Pupils demonstrate a high level of musical understanding, evidenced by their ability to perform, compose, and engage critically with various musical forms.
• Greater Confidence and Well-being: Feedback from pupils indicates increased confidence in their abilities and a greater willingness to participate in performances. Many pupils show improved self-esteem as a result of their musical engagement.
• Cultural Awareness: Pupils exhibit an appreciation for and understanding of global music traditions, showcasing their learning through collaborative projects and community performances.
• Strengthened Community Bonds: Our music initiatives foster strong links with the local community, enhancing relationships with families and local artists. Community events promote a sense of belonging and shared experience.
• Spiritual and Moral Development: Pupils reflect on the Christian values embedded in music, engaging in discussions about the spiritual and moral implications of musical expression. This contributes to their overall personal development and aligns with our school’s Christian ethos.

In summary, our music programme at Bentley St. Paul’s not only enriches the educational experience of our pupils but also supports their personal, social, and spiritual development, aligning closely with the expectations of an outstanding school as identified by Ofsted.