Brookvale Primary School

At Brookvale Primary School, we believe the involvement of music related activities across the curriculum supports a child to achieve a higher level of vocabulary, communication and success in their school experience and later on in life. Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory. Therefore, at Brookvale music is highly celebrated and embraced. At Brookvale children gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, performing, evaluating and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. We are committed to developing a curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding and appreciation of the importance of all types of music. We aim to provide the children with a curriculum where each child reaches their full musical potential.

The music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the classroom activities as well as assemblies, various concerts and performances and the learning of instruments. In EYFS the emphasis in music is on enjoyment and participation as well as supporting children to reach the Early Learning Goals set out in the Statutory Framework for The Early Years Foundation.

Through the musical program Charanga teachers, from Reception to Year 6, are able to teach inclusive lessons for all children to access the musical curriculum in a fun and engaging way, further promoting a love of learning. Teachers deliver music following the Charanga programme, designed specifically for the teaching of music in primary schools. Charanga lessons are planned in sequences to provide children with the opportunities to review, remember, deepen and apply their understanding.

The elements of music are taught in 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. Playing various instruments enables children to use a range of methods to create notes, as well as how to read basic music notation. They also learn how to compose, focusing 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. Support is given to staff by a specialist music teacher who assists in the delivery of the curriculum throughout the year.