Music

WHY? (intent)

Shout for Joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; Psalm 98 v. 4

Our aim is for every child to reach their potential through our musical teaching, developing skills and learning, but also to engender a love and life-long passion for music.

Music is integral to school life at St. Peter’s, through our worship, teaching and extra-curricular opportunities; giving our children the opportunity to shine in unique ways, enhance their spirituality, and develop their musical talents and appreciation of music. We sing daily in our assemblies and listen to a variety of music during our worship time. Children learn to be resilient through practice, respectful through experiencing and listening to a variety of musical genres, resourceful through composition and improvisation and aim high when performing and sharing their skills and talents. Music is taught throughout the school in line with the National Curriculum and all children have the opportunity to learn the recorder and take part in year group performances.

WHAT? (implementation)

Music is taught by class teachers weekly for four out of the 6 half terms a year, using a variety of resources including Charanga (West Sussex Music developed scheme of music teaching), gradually developing and building upon skills learned throughout each year. KS1 learn to sing expressively, experiment and create music with tuned and un-tuned percussion and listen to a range of music. KS2 children learn to sing and play with increasing control and develop an understanding of music composition, as well as listening to a wider range of music.

All children in Y2 and Y3 learn the recorder with their class teacher and then receive a term of tuition from a West Sussex music teacher in Year 4. Children in Y2 and KS2 take part in our local music festivals, and Y6 children sing at the O2 with schools from across the south of England. Each year group has the opportunity to perform for parents during the year, beginning with a Nativity in Reception; an Easter production by Y1; and Y2 and Y6 have productions at the end of the Summer term. Years 3 – 5 also produce their year group assemblies during the summer term. Singing Club meet weekly after school and take part in local festivities, singing at local Residential homes at Christmas and taking part in Henfield Garden and Arts in the summer. We have a variety of peripatetic music teachers coming in to the school to teach woodwind, strings, guitar, piano, drums and Music Club (if your child is interested in learning an instrument or joining Music Club please contact the school office for details.) All of our musical talent comes together in the Spring term to take part in the annual Spring Concert.

Our Music Policy can be viewed by clicking here

Our Music Skills Progression document can be view by clicking here

WOW (impact)

Sharks Class practising the recorder

Starfish – Clapping the rhythm of our names

Latest News

Year 6 enjoyed a visit to the O2 arena to join in singing with schools from across the South of England.

Mrs. Powell is putting together a band to play at church for the St. Peter’s Day service. Over 30 children have shown an interest in taking part. Rehearsals are underway and we are looking forward to performing together!

Tuesday 17th May

Some members of our Singing Club took part in the Chanctonbury Music Festival singing alongside Ashurst, Jolesfield, Upper Beeding and Steyning Primary Schools. The children represented the school impeccably and all had a lot of fun singing the songs they had worked very hard to learn. We were so proud of all of them!