Intent

 At Beechwood, we want our pupils to think for themselves and care for others. Through our music curriculum, we provide oppurtunities to think independently: composing and writing their own pieces and thinking critically about music that they listen to. During their time at Beechwood, we endeavor for our pupils to experience a wide range of music from different cultures, backgrounds and musicians, with the aim that pupils develop a caring and respectful attitude towards others. We also aim for our pupils to view music as a joyful experience which can be shared with others in a caring way. 

Implementation

From EYFS, up to Year 6, our children are taught the essential knowledge and skills taken from the Early Years Framework 2021 and the Model Music Curriculum. Our well-planned journey through the music curriculum helps our pupils to build upon their prior learning and apply past knowledge to new situations; we are passionate about ensuring that our children’s learning transfers to their long-term memory. To ensure that this happens we constantly revisit concepts and themes both within year groups and subjects and across year groups and different subjects where applicable.
As soon as children come to our school, they are encouraged to think like a musician, to develop a love for music, we also aim to inspire our children to perform what they have learnt in a range of different styles.

At Beechwood music is an integral part of life and appears as subject specific lessons and throughout the curriculum to support the learning and experiences of our children. We are committed to developing a life-long love of music through curiosity, challenge and experience. Our children develop an understanding and acceptance of the importance of all genres of music and the role that music plays in everyday life. We recognise the emotional impact that music has on minds and use that to enhance a multi-sensory approach to teaching and learning. Over the years our music provision has been strengthened and there is now firmly embedded music provision. We are a Music Ambassador school; sharing our music curriculum with others.
We are fortunate to work with three highly talented peripatetic teachers who further enhance both our curricular and extracurricular music offer. We have three year groups who experience whole class instrumental teaching. Year 4 learn how to play brass instruments; Year 5 learn how to play woodwind instruments and Year 6 choose either brass or woodwind to play every week. In addition to this, some children from Year 5 and 6 receive additional music tuition so that they can progress towards grading on their instruments, and some are also sign posted to Accent Music Education Hub’s Runcorn Rising Stars Band who practice in our school hall.

Performance is an element of the Music Curriculum where Beechwood children really shine. From Foundation Stage up to Year 6, Beechwood children have regular opportunities to perform as a group or soloist. Their confidence is breathtaking and is testament to the support from staff and the effort and enjoyment from the children themselves. We have well established links with Accent Music Education Hub and take full advantage of the amazing experiences they offer each year. Years 1 and 2 attend the Infant Music Festival then as the children move through Key Stage 2 they have the opportunity to perform at Children of Hub Sing Brindley evening and Stadium concert, Halton Primary Arts Network Show and finally perform their instruments as part of Accent Ensembles.

At Beechwood all of our Year 6 children complete their Arts Award Explore, using their instrumental performance at The Brindley as the performance aspect of the qualification.

Impact

At Beechwood all of our Year 6 children complete their Arts Award Explore, using their instrumental performance at The Brindley as the performance aspect of the qualification. All children will leave Beechwood having performed both singing and with an instrument. Children will feel confident in their music ability and develop a true love and passion for music.