Intent

Music is a universal language that everyone can participate in and enjoy and during their time at Our Lady of Lourdes. All children are encouraged to explore music through a variety of avenues.

Implementation

Music is taught in accordance with the National Curriculum. During weekly lessons children learn to sing and to play tuned and untuned instruments with increasing accuracy, control and expression, to improvise and compose music, to use and understand notation and to perform, both solo and as part of an ensemble. They listen to both recorded and live music from a wide range of genres and find out about the history of music.

We use a music resource called Charanga and this is highly proficient in ensuring teachers are upskilled and have the resources at hand that they need to teach music well.

There is one very successful school choir which meets every Wednesday after school and performs at various events over the year. Weekly hymn practises take place in the school hall and are led by the Principal and a sessional pianist. 

Children in the following year groups all learn to play a variety of instruments:

Year 3 - Recorder 
Year 4 - Ukulele
Year 5 - Violin

Children also have the opportunity to learn piano and violin in small group and 1:1 sessions. 

'A celebration of music' is held at the end of term in December and July for children to share what they have learned. 

Impact

We value the importance of performance and encourage our children to  share their skills regularly in assemblies as well as visits to the local community. Our musicians perform at local residential homes, participate in summer concerts and music sharing events. The choir takes part in the annual 'Big Sing' at Dorchester Abbey. This not only provides the children with enjoyable experiences that nurture confidence, social awareness and self esteem but also allows them the opportunity to practice our virtues of compassion, curiosity, being active and prophetic.