“The more we expect of ourselves and one another,
the more we can achieve”
Music
Music is held in very high regard at Staplehurst School. We aim to deliver a knowledge rich curriculum, with high-quality musical and social outcomes for all our children.
This is a summary of how our school delivers music education to all our pupils across three areas – curriculum music, co-curricular provision and musical experiences – and what changes we are planning in future years. This information is to help pupils and parents or carers understand what our school offers and who we work with to support our pupils’ music education.
Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Academic year that this summary covers | 2024-25 |
| Date this summary was published | September 2024 |
| Date this summary will be reviewed | September 2025 |
| Name of the school music lead | Mrs Seal |
| Name of school leadership team member with responsibility for music (if different) | |
| Name of local music hub | Kent Mark |
| Name of other music education organisation(s) (if partnership in place) | Music Mark |
Part A: Curriculum music
Currently for EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, we follow Charanga for our class music lessons. https://www.kentinteractivemusic.co.uk/
This is delivered every week in EYFS and KS1 and every other week in Key Stage 2. We aim for a total of 1 hour a week of music education, which includes a weekly Singing Assembly, where the children separate into their Key Stages. At these assemblies, the children are played a variety of music from different genres to extend their knowledge and listening opportunities.
As per the recommendations of the Model Music Curriculum (March 2021), pupils in Key Stage 2 have the opportunity to play recorders and ukuleles, for two complete terms, through whole- class ensemble teaching.
We liaise closely with our local music hub, Kent Music, who have recently been successful in their bid to become the Lead organisation for the new Kent and Medway Music Hub. We have been working on our Skills Progression and Musical Vocabulary document over the last academic year through their bespoke support offer. They also provided CPD for our staff last year, as did our Music Specialist Teacher.
We have been selected to be a Music Mark School for three years running and are proud of the achievement. They have recognised the value that we place on music and of that we are immensely proud.
This is delivered every week in EYFS and KS1 and every other week in Key Stage 2. We aim for a total of 1 hour a week of music education, which includes a weekly Singing Assembly, where the children separate into their Key Stages. At these assemblies, the children are played a variety of music from different genres to extend their knowledge and listening opportunities.
As per the recommendations of the Model Music Curriculum (March 2021), pupils in Key Stage 2 have the opportunity to play recorders and ukuleles, for two complete terms, through whole- class ensemble teaching.
We liaise closely with our local music hub, Kent Music, who have recently been successful in their bid to become the Lead organisation for the new Kent and Medway Music Hub. We have been working on our Skills Progression and Musical Vocabulary document over the last academic year through their bespoke support offer. They also provided CPD for our staff last year, as did our Music Specialist Teacher.
We have been selected to be a Music Mark School for three years running and are proud of the achievement. They have recognised the value that we place on music and of that we are immensely proud.
Part B: Extra-curricular music
We currently offer individual piano, guitar, ukulele and drum lessons with the Andrew Parry Music school https://www.andrewparrymusic.com/ and our Music Lead Teacher. These are charged per half hour lesson and run on a rota basis, during lesson time and lunchtimes. Instruments can be loaned from Kent Music or Andrew Parry. Other instruments can be offered and funding sought from Kent Music for those who are Pupil Premium. Pupils can work towards ABRSM examinations or play simply for enjoyment.
We offer recorder clubs (years 2-5) and choir (years 4-6) which are all free to join and provide lots of opportunity for pupils to perform to adults and their peers.
We are fortunate to have a designated music room, with lots of space to rehearse, have lessons in and perform. There is a vast selection of percussion and tuned instruments in school including djembe drums, pianos and keyboards, recorders (of all sizes) guitars and ukuleles.
At the school on a Saturday morning, Staplehurst Music Centre (an independent village music school) run a range of individual instrumental lessons and ensemble opportunities, including a rock band and chamber group.
Kent Music, our local Music Hub also have opportunities for lessons and ensembles outside school. During school holidays, there are musical projects to get involved with such as Orchestra One and if needed we can seek their advice for making sure our music curriculum is inclusive to all, with adapted instruments for aspiring young musicians who may need them.
Part C: Musical experiences
Children at Staplehurst have a vast array of musical opportunities. Singing Assemblies are held weekly and in Key Stage groups, and individual instrumentalists often request to perform to their peers during these occasions. Once a term, we aim to have a shared Singing experience where KS1 can perform songs to KS2 and vice versa.
Year groups assemblies to parents are held every year and classes sing songs they have been learning, accompanied by instruments and movement. Individuals and small groups often choose to perform at these too.
At Christmas, EYFS perform a Nativity including singing, KS1 perform a musical play with a Christmas theme and KS2 perform a Celebratory concert to their parents and special guests. This includes class songs and again, individual and group items. The choir also enjoy entertaining local groups.
Last year, we reinstated our Spring Concert, giving more performance opportunities to children in KS2 whether that was individually or in current or newly formed groups, specifically for the occasion. Our peripatetic teachers helped to rehearse one such group which included a child who had never played keyboard before but who wanted to play in a band!
At the beginning of Autumn, the Andrew Parry Music School teachers entertain during assembly, and this always encourages more children to learn to play instruments. We currently have a high percentage of children in the school, enthusiastic to participate in Musical activities.
For many years, our choir have been to the 02 to take part in Young Voices, a magical experience singing with 8000 other children accompanied by live music from a professional band. There have also been rap artists, street dancers and well- known singers performing. This trip has been subsidised by school for all concerned.
In the future
We are aiming to complete our Musical Vocabulary and Skills Progression documents and are currently planning a timetable of musical enrichment opportunities for all year groups. This will include more performances at school from a wide variety of musicians, who play different styles of music. We are also hoping to include trips to musical theatre and musical workshops.
