Intent

At Co-op Academy Grove, we value music because it is a powerful and unique art form. Music boosts creativity and supports development in social skills, self-discipline and confidence. We provide a music curriculum where children develop a solid understanding of the interrelated dimensions of music through the skills of performing, composing and appraising. We ensure children experience a range of classical, rock, folk, jazz and popular music taken from different times and cultures. We currently have specialised weekly provision provided by City Music School in Year 3 with ukuleles.

Implementation

We follow the Charanga Model Music Curriculum scheme of work to teach music – ensuring there is an integrated, practical, exploratory and child-led approach to musical learning. The Scheme supports all the requirements of the National Curriculum. This Charanga Scheme provides children with week-by-week lessons, lesson plans, assessment, clear progression, and engaging and exciting resources to support every lesson.

All lessons provide the children with an opportunity to listen to at least one new song per session. They will apply their knowledge of the interrelated dimensions of music to different genres e.g. gospel, reggae, blues. Children also listen, appraise and learn about the work of one iconic singer/musician/composer/band (from different times in history and from different ethnic backgrounds) per term. This helps to build pupils’ cultural understanding and knowledge.

For our singing assemblies, we have implemented the Sing Up scheme which helps to support children in learning a new song, including developing their singing skills. This scheme is also implemented for our choir practise to help develop their understanding of the songs they are singing, in addition to increasing their confidence and self-esteem when performing.

Additional opportunities

Since September 2023, we have welcomed Rocksteady into our school. Rocksteady is an external provider for musical instrument lessons which focuses around learning a new instrument in a band. At the end of each term, we have a Rocksteady concert where the children perform to all pupils, teachers and parents, to really highlight their wonderful achievements of the instrument they have been learning.

Throughout the year, we have multiple opportunities for our pupils to perform to an audience and really showcase what they can achieve. So far, we have held the following performances: Harvest Festival from Year 3; Christmas Concert from Year 6; Christmas Choir at The Frost Fayre from Years 3 and 4; and the end of year performance from our Year 6’s. These truly are a wonderful opportunity for year groups to collaborate together and really showcase how amazing they are.

During the winter term, pupils took part in a Rocksteady concert, performing live as part of a band. The concert gave children the opportunity to showcase their musical progress, develop confidence and experience performing to an audience in a supportive environment.

Pupils taking part in our Rocksteady music provision, performing as part of a live band and developing        confidence, teamwork and performance skills.

                 GarageBand – Digital Music Creation 

Exploring Music with GarageBand

Pupils are encouraged to explore music creation beyond the classroom using GarageBand, a free music-making app available on Apple devices (Mac, iPad and iPhone). GarageBand allows pupils to compose, record, mix and perform their own music using a wide range of virtual instruments.

The app supports the development of key musical concepts such as rhythm, melody, harmony and improvisation, and is suitable for beginners as well as more confident musicians. GarageBand can be used to extend learning at home or in school and supports creativity and independent exploration.

Please note: GarageBand is not available on Android or Windows devices.