Music

Music Vision

To develop pupils’ skills and knowledge as musicians, through Performing, Composing and Appraising

At South Hill, we believe that music is a powerful, unique form of communication that can change the way children feel, think and act. It is a key feature of our school and we aim to provide many opportunities for our children to thrive in this area.

The teaching of music develops children's ability to listen and it encourages active involvement in different forms of music making both individual and ensemble, developing a sense of group identity and togetherness. It also increases self-discipline, creativity, aesthetic sensitivity and fulfilment.

Our aims are:

To encourage awareness, enjoyment and appreciation of music in all its forms
To develop imagination and creativity
To help children of all abilities develop positive attitudes and to experience success and satisfaction in music
To offer opportunities to perform, compose and appraise

Golden Threads

As part of our Music curriculum, we have carefully mapped out 3 key concepts that weave in and out of our learning. These are:

Performing
Composing
Appraising

Our Curriculum

In EYFS, pupils explore sound making in the key area of ‘Expressive arts and Design’ and have opportunities to respond to music through dance, role play and drama both inside and outside the classroom setting.

In Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, pupil’s skills and knowledge are developed through our golden threads, which progress throughout the school.

Expected outcomes are taken from the National Curriculum and the skills to be taught are drawn from the Model Music Curriculum along with the WEAVE knowledge and skills document. Sing Up and Charanga resources are used as well as our Music specialist teacher.

For example:

In KS1: Pupils enjoy singing songs together and learn about beat, rhythm and pitch. They also have opportunities to create music together in response to a given stimulus ie. story, picture or theme.

In KS2, pupils learn the ukulele and extend their understanding of beat, rhythm and pitch. Pupils learn to read standard notation through learning the glockenspiel and have opportunities to compose music in response to topics and work to incorporate their music knowledge within these projects.

Pupils also take part in weekly singing assemblies and have opportunities to join in various musical activities and performances throughout the school year.

Please also visit the Young Voices ,Choir and Arts Mark pages

Arts Mark Gold

South Hill have been awarded a Artsmark Gold Award, which highlighted ’our opportunities for children in Key Stage 2 to participate in instrumental tuition, including ukulele and Djembe drumming. Pupils also participate in Choir extra-curricular club and have opportunities to showcase and celebrate their musical achievements locally and at national events, such as at Young Voices.

Our feedback from the the Arts Mark assessors:

'You clearly value the Arts and recognise their contribution to your mission statement of 'Building Character, Learning Together' at South Hill Primary School. Although some of your plans were inevitably stymied by the pandemic, you have used your Artsmark journey to develop children's understanding of arts and artists from a wider variety of different cultural heritages, so that cultural diversity is being promoted through your arts curriculum and your annual International Day. Music is a growing strength within your overall arts offer with lessons provided by a specialist music teacher. Your partnership with Hertfordshire Music Service is providing opportunities for children in Key Stage 2 to participate in instrumental tuition, including ukulele and Djembe drumming. Pupils can also participate in Choir extra-curricular club, and have opportunities to showcase and celebrate their musical achievements locally and at national events, such as at Young Voices. Astutely, you have capitalised on the skills and expertise of various school stakeholders, including a parent who is an animator. This opportunity, along with the chance for children to see a range of artists and makers at work at the Dacorum Arts Centre, has enabled pupils to develop an understanding of carer pathways and job opportunities in the Arts. Teachers' confidence has increased as a result of their training from local secondary colleagues in drawing, watercolour and collagraph printing. We suggest for the future that you strengthen your partnerships with arts and culture venues, and seek out new collaborations and opportunities with arts professionals which could help you to increase your range of offer and provide external, specialist training opportunities for your staff. It is great to hear that you are beginning to develop pupil voice through your Arts Ambassadors, and that they have relished the opportunity to work with your Forest Schools Leader to develop and implement plans to enhance the outdoor area.

Congratulations on your Artsmark Gold Award!

After a visit from Hertfordshire Music Service we have achieved a Music Mark to celebrate the value that we place on music here at South Hill. Music Mark schools are recognised for their commitment to music education. By being invited to be a Music mark school we can access resources for our staff and pupils and be kept up to date with the latest national and regional sector news and events.

This is part of our recognition letter:

'Music Mark works to support and enable the music education sector to deliver high-quality musical and social outcomes for all children and young people. On behalf of Music Mark and from us at Hertfordshire Music Service, we would like to thank you for all the hard work your school does to support this collective vision. Music Mark Schools is supported through a partnership with ABRSM.'