Music, along with other arts subjects, provides a medium for exploring what it means to be human. Engaging in the subject can add a quaility to life that is hard to quantify. At Roger Ascham, children will learn to enjoy; listen critically to; practise and perform music from a range of different times and cultures. Children will be taught how to listen to, read and play music from a range of cultures; they will have experienced first-hand, and in a variety of ways, that musical performance and enjoyment are accessible to everyone.

The singing and learning of songs forms a vital part of the curriculum, enabling learning in music to be linked with many other subject areas. When learning melodies and words, children’s memories are engaged and they are required to develop the skills to listen with greater discernment. These are fundamental to early literacy and language development, such as phonological awareness, and continue to be vital as children get older.

Music lessons are taught in a supportive atmosphere which encourages risk-taking, thoughtful criticism and self-improvement. Deliberate practice – the cycle of practice, reflection and improvement – will show children how we can be the best we can be. Songs can introduce children to new ideas, through the stories they tell, the emotions they express or the vocabulary they contain. Singing songs together is not only enjoyable but can also engender a sense belonging to a wider group or community.

Collaboration and communication are themes of every music lesson. In both group and individual tasks, the children are encouraged to use musical vocabulary to critically evaluate each other’s work and use feedback from their peers to improve their own performances and compositions.

Opportunities to compose and improvise will increase children’s feelings of ownership of the subject. Composition and improvisation will also provide opportunities to put their developing skills into practice.

At Roger Ascham, children will experience first-hand that music is accessible to everyone and can be experienced in a variety of ways. When children leave Roger Ascham, they will have an understanding of how music is notated and communicated  for example through graphic scores, tablature, chord symbols and stave music. They will have experienced singing and playing tuned and percussion instruments. We intend to build the confidence and enthusiasm for learning and enjoying music into KS3 and beyond.