Music

 

Intent

It is our intent at St Joseph’s that all children are inspired and motivated by music and find enjoyment in all forms of music. Music is a vehicle for personal expression and can play an important role in the development of children. As a consequence, every class teaches music as part of the curriculum.

We follow the Oak Academy scheme which was co-written by specialist teachers from our local Bristol Beacon Music Hub. This scheme fulfils all the expectations of the National Curriculum but also allows children to learn to appreciate a wide variety of genres and styles of music.

Through Bristol Beacon, we are also able to offer private and small group piano tuition to children from Reception to Year 6. Our choir group has been fortunate to be invited to sing Christmas carols at Briarwood Special School, which is a real highlight for the performers.

All children at St Joseph’s sing in at least one annual performance per year group, starting with our wonderful nativity plays for Reception and Year 1, an Easter production for Years 2 and 3, a Christmas carol performance for Years 4 and 5, then culminating with the fantastic annual Year 6 production. 

As a Catholic school, we come together to sing hymns in assemblies and at Mass. This supports the Model Music Curriculum as children receive regular vocal training including warming up their voices, working on their posture, pitch and breathing and improving their aural memory. Children learn to sing a range of traditional and newer hymns with great enthusiasm and confidence.

Our aim is that by the time children leave St Joseph’s at the end of Year 6, they feel comfortable with music and have the confidence to take up musical opportunities later in life.

Progression

 Click here for the curriculum plan explainer from Oak Academy