“The earth has music for those who listen.” – Shakespeare

Music Intent

At Ann Edwards School we give every child the chance to perform and creative their own music to express their feelings and emotions whilst learning to respect each other’s musical preferences. Our high-quality inclusive music education engages, inspires and challenges all pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own musical pieces. Children develop their understanding and communication of the universal language of music with effective teaching and considered sequences of lessons and experiences from our dedicated team of staff.

As a church school we have a strong belief in serving the local community and by celebrating the children’s successes through live performances we support our children to develop their resilience. This in turn, helps them to experience the many life-enriching benefits making music together offers, including; confidence-building, spiritual well-being and working as a team. This ultimately enables the children to consider how through singing and playing an instrument they might find their voice to understand their place in their community and thus making a positive contribution to the wider world.

As pupils progress, they will begin to think critically and develop the perseverance skills necessary to create their own pieces of music with confidence and competency and evaluate and respect the work of others. This enables them to achieve their best in a fun, vibrant learning environment whilst encouraging them to develop resilience and respect for their peers through collaboration and perseverance. Our curriculum develops all children’s critical thinking and understanding of their own cultural heritages whilst respecting others’ through studying a diverse range of musicians throughout history. Children will know how music reflects and shapes our history, and contributes to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. The children’s learning is further enhanced by enriching opportunities such as;

  • whole-school isingpop workshops and concerts,
  • visits to Cheltenham Music festival,
  • peripatetic instrumental lessons,
  • after-school choir,
  • taking part in Young Voices at the Birmingham NEC,
  • live performances from visiting professional musicians,
  • school productions and class assemblies.

Children will also develop their understanding of service by regularly singing in the local Church and community thus enabling them to connect with others on a spiritual and emotional level.

 

Aims

The overarching aim for Music in our school is to ensure that pupils :

  • Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians.
  • Children learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence.
  • Children understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.

 

Peripatetic Music Lessons

All children participate in practical musical activities, which include rhythm, pitch, and notation work.

We have a variety of percussion instruments and children are encouraged to use them in creative music making and in performances.

Additional lessons are provided during the school day for pupils wishing to learn the following instruments:

  • Guitar
  • Drums

These lessons are given by specialist external music teachers and a charge is made for tuition and the hiring of instruments.