Mather Street Primary School

Music

At Mather Street Primary School, the music curriculum gives all learners, particularly the most disadvantaged, the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life by exposing children to different genres of music and providing them with the opportunities to play different musical instruments. 

We ensure that the aims of the National Curriculum for music are covered through lessons and experiences that are relevant to the pupils at our school. Each year group has identified composers and pieces of music to explore which helps them to build up a knowledge of the history of music and understand the key features of different styles of music.

In EYFS, the children are taught a range of songs and listen to different pieces of music. They are given the opportunities to explore a range of percussion instruments as part of the continuous provision. In Ks1, the children learn songs and learn how to play the percussion instruments to accompany their singing. In year 3 and year 4, the children learn how to play a brass instrument – usually the cornet. Children that show an interest or a talent for playing the cornet have the opportunity to continue and attend music groups outside of school.

Composition is valued and the children have the opportunity to create their own music through soundscapes, structured composition and by using ICT. We link the themes to topics studied in other subject areas where possible whilst still focussing on the specific musical vocabulary.

The children are given opportunities to listen to live music performed by a professional orchestra in a large concert hall. Year 2 attend The Snowman concert which brings literature and music together and Year 4 take part in the ‘Come and Play with The Halle ‘concert at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. The children join with pupils from other Oldham schools to listen to a themed concert performed by the Halle Orchestra, sing songs accompanied by the orchestra and play a brass instrument alongside the professional musicians.

During their time in school, there are several occasions where the children perform to an audience. Music is a key element of the EYFS and Lower KS1 Christmas productions. Whilst KS1 and Upper KS2 perform end of year shows for parents and friends. Class celebration assemblies include an element of performance and the children that learn to play a brass instrument regularly perform in school for different audiences.

Year Group Overview of Composers