At Battle Primary Academy, we want children to experience music as a unique way of communicating that can inspire and motivate their own personal expression. Music can play an important part in the personal development of children; it allows them to reflect and links closely with their spiritual development. Music reflects the culture and society we live in, and so the teaching and learning of music at Battle Primary Academy enables children to develop curiosity for different cultures and ideas. Besides being a creative and enjoyable activity, music can also be a highly academic and demanding subject and music lessons at Battle Primary Academy boost resilience through learning to perform, compose and even read music notation.  

We believe that Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. We aim to ensure that all pupils receive high quality teaching in the subject of music. We aim to motivate and inspire all pupils to fulfil their potential, including those who show strong musical ability and talent on an instrument or voice. We aim to develop strong listening skills, which can be then used across the wider curriculum.

Through their music learning, we aim to increase the child’s self-confidence, ability to work cooperatively as part of a team and to give them a sense of achievement. We value music as a form of confidence building, expression, as a social subject and for enjoyment. It is also a way of artistically promoting our school and helps to unite the local community. We aim to extend our musical performances with the local community and encourage children to take up opportunities to link with other musicians.

Intent

The aims of our musical curriculum are:

• Can sing and use their voices individually and in a group
• Create and compose music on their own and with others
• Use technology appropriately when composing
• Have opportunities to learn a musical instrument
• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated
• Listen to, review and evaluate the work of great composers and musicians from a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions

Implementation

Music is taught through the Kapow Musical School programme. The children develop their understanding, make musical judgements, apply their new learning, develop their aural memory, express themselves physically, emotionally and through discussion and create their own musical ideas. 

Impact

Our school uses the Kapow scheme as the basis for our curriculum planning. This scheme has an integrated, practical, exploratory and child-led approach to musical learning. The learning within this scheme is based on:

 · Listening and Appraising,

· Musical Activities (including Creating and Exploring)

· Singing and Performing.

While there are opportunities for children of all abilities to develop their skills and knowledge in each unit, the progression planned into the scheme of work means that the children are increasingly challenged as they move through the school. All musical learning in the scheme is based around the Interrelated Dimensions of Music; pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture, structure and notation.