We pride ourselves in having a rich and varied music and drama curriculum. We know that music and drama is vital to ensuring that the teaching and learning of music and drama is delivered to the highest standards giving our children the best opportunities to learn and grow while having lots of fun.
Through the core musical activities of composing, performing and listening, children develop their creativity by investigating, combining and experimenting with sounds. They develop their social skills and confidence in their music making, both as individuals and members of a group.
Building on their learning from the Foundation Stage, children continue to develop singing and instrumental skills, and further develop their skills of listening and responding to music. As they develop their vocal and instrumental skills, children also create musical stories, pictures, patterns, conversations and accompaniments.
At Key Stages 1 and 2, children start to think and talk about characteristics within the music that they create, perform and listen to. Along with developing aural awareness and communication skills, engaging in musical activities should enhance children’s self-esteem and heighten their awareness of themselves and their immediate environment.
During the Foundation Stage, children will have engaged in a variety of play activities that encourage them to try out many roles in familiar contexts. They will also have developed their imaginative and creative skills by responding to unknown situations.
At Key Stages 1 and 2, children start to refine their skills of understanding and analyse, compare and discuss their feelings with others. At Key Stage 1, teachers can use strategies such as tableau, freeze frame and hot seating, adding thought tracking and conscience alley at Key Stage 2. These and other strategies develop children’s creativity and extend their learning through practical and active experience.
Throughout these key stages, children’s observation skills become more structured in script work and polished improvisation. Their vocal and movement skills become more sophisticated in terms of audience, and evaluation skills become more focused on negotiation, co-operation and sharing.
We have a vast array of Music & Drama resources for our children. pupils use percussion, recorders, ukeleles and boomwhackers to make music. They sing regularly in Assembly and every year our choir takes part in the PeaceProms Concert in the Odyssey Arena.
Our youngest pupils start their ‘on stage’ careers early through Christmas celebrations and performances. This develops their confidence and many other skills.
‘Model Musicals’ are always an opportunity to showcase the talent that we have within our school in Key Stage 2. Our productions are the highlight of our school calendar and we put on a performance bi-annually. Some of our most recent offering s have been Mary Poppins, Beauty & The Beast and Matilda.
Our pupils are also lucky enough to learn instruments and we have specialist teachers who provide piano, violin, woodwind and brass. These pupils often form a small orchestra to showcase their developing talents.
