Music at HCFS

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity and at HCFS we ensure all children have the opportunity to sing, to listen to music, to experience different musical instruments, to perform and to enjoy music. We do this by following the Charanga Musical School Scheme, which is aligned with the National Curriculum for Music. In line with the curriculum for music and guidance from Ofsted, this scheme moves away from the previous levels and learning objective/outcome concepts to an integrated, practical, exploratory and child-led approach to musical learning.

All musical learning in this scheme is built around the Interrelated Dimensions of Music: pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture, structure and notation. These dimensions are at the centre of all the learning; they are musical building blocks. This is an integrated approach to musical learning where games, the interrelated dimensions of music, singing and playing instruments are all linked.

Each unit of work is designed to be taught over 6 sessions with all of the learning focusing around one song. Each unit comprises the following strands of musical learning which correspond with the national curriculum for music:

1. Listen and Appraise, 2. Musical Activities (Games, Singing, Playing Instruments, Improvisation, Composition), 3. Perform and Share

In addition to their music lessons, pupils participate in singing practise each week, listen to music in collective worship and experience music in daily lessons (e.g. singing songs to learn times tables). Music is used to support children's wellbeing through calming and mindfulness activities and is recognised as a valuable tool in our school.

For more information about what your child is learning, please speak with their Class Teacher.