Learning » Curriculum » Subjects » Music
Welcome to the Music Page!
In July 2023, we were thrilled to have our Music Champion status revalidated by Leeds, which recognises our commitment to Music across school. We were one of the first of 10 schools in Leeds to be awarded this status back in 2018.
Here at Pool, we believe that Music is an essential part of our curriculum that enables each pupil to learn about the joy and creativity of Music. Through our cornerstone Christian values, we aim to:
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Nurture pupils to experience music in different ways. We aim to foster this by learning four key elements: singing, listening, composing and performing, so that all our children can consider themselves ‘musicians’.
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Develop the children’s confidence, skills and enjoyment of music by performing individually and in an ensemble with their peers. We create a safe space to make mistakes and learn how to try again. |
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Develop reflective and skilled musicians. We encourage children to reflect and respond to music and musical performances, developing an appreciation of a wide variety of musical genres, and an understanding of how music can create stories and affect our mood. We develop children's musical skills by building technical knowledge. |
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Plan opportunities to stimulate pupils’ enjoyment of music through participation and performance. We promote an understanding of care and respect and highlight how each pupil can express themselves individually and uniquely through music. |
How do we teach Music at Pool?
Our teaching of Music supports the (non-statutory) Music Model Curriculum. This gives a recommended approach to Music which is ambitious, well sequenced and progressive. All children experience four key elements: singing, listening, composing and performing. Children are taught musical skills through specific timetabled lesson time and also at other times of the week, for example during assemblies, routines and other curriculum activities. Live music opportunities are also accessed. The teaching and learning of music is supported by a variety of resources such as BBC Ten Pieces, Out of the Ark and Sing Up! (a music teaching scheme that covers all the dimensions of the Music Model Curriculum).
Every Sing Up! unit has learning outcomes. Intended to inform teaching, they are not assessment statements. For assessment purposes, teachers should aim to become familiar with the intended outcomes for their class. Over time, with frequent reference to the year group outcomes, teachers should be able to say who in their class is achieving in line with expectation (‘most children will’), who is struggling, and who is showing aptitude. This is a general impression, not a judgement against tick charts or formal tests. Teachers aim to informally observe 5 or 6 children each week, referring to the outcomes for their year group, rather than trying to observe everyone every week. Teaching and practice time is important, and lessons should not be taken up with testing to complete tick box judgements.
Instrumental Opportunities in School
We are extremely lucky at Pool to be able to give children an opportunity to take their curriculum learning further with small group and individual lessons. Currently, we offer Rocksteady (where children play rock instruments - drums, keyboards, vocals and guitars in a rock group session), and piano and vocal lessons with Peta Kendall. More information is available from the school office.
Parents - Rocksteady Music SchoolInformation on City Music Centres and beginners ensembles can be found here:Music Centres – Artforms Leeds Beginner ensembles are a great way for children to develop instrumental skills. They are also really fun!
https://artformsleeds.co.uk/music/citywide-and-community-music-making/music-centres/
Our Pool School Choir
Our school choir meet weekly at lunchtimes. We focus on a wide variety of songs based on the time of year, season, culture and events.
In October 2024, the school choir performed in the annual civic service at st Wilfrid's church. The children were fantastic representatives of the school.
In the summer of 2023, 8 of our singers joined hundreds of other children from Leeds schools to sing in unison at the First Direct Arena in Leeds and in November 2023, some of our Y5 and 6 children also sang at the Leeds Winter Voices concert at Pudsey Civic Hall.