Music

At Leigh Academy Hartley, we pride ourselves on our vibrant music programme that nurtures a profound love and understanding of music among our students. Our Music Development Plan aims to provide children with a solid foundation in music through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across diverse historical periods, styles, traditions, and genres. We aspire to ignite a curiosity that respects the complexities and importance of all musical forms, recognising their potential impact on individuals’ lives. As part of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework, our curriculum is designed to be transdisciplinary, linking music to broader community values and encouraging students to engage in various musical contexts.

Our music curriculum encompasses several key components. This includes innovative classroom instrumental teaching, a KS2 choir, whole academy singing assemblies, and partnerships with visiting music teachers and external organisations like Kent Music. We believe in harnessing music technology to enhance learning, ensuring our students receive a comprehensive education that integrates modern practices.

In terms of instrumental teaching, children in the EYFS start with untuned instruments. By Year 2, they embark on learning the ocarina, which is introduced in blocks of lessons taught by their class teacher. From Years 3 to 4, recorders become the focus, supported by the same block teaching method. In Year 5, students enjoy weekly ukulele lessons, building their skills over the course of the academic year. This structured approach ensures that all students gain practical experience, fostering a sense of achievement and enjoyment.

The implementation of our music curriculum is carefully mapped out for all year groups, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Sing Up is used as a key resource, facilitating inclusive participation. We also invite specialist music teachers, such as Denise Greenwood for guitar tuition and Rock Academy for individual lessons, ensuring that students have access to expert instruction.

Our KS2 choir meets weekly and participates in various school events, including the Christmas fayre and Young Voices concert. Singing assemblies, led by our music lead, help to diversify children’s musical experiences, introducing them to a broad spectrum of genres.

To evaluate our Music Development Plan’s success, we conduct termly monitoring which includes pupil feedback and analysis of recorded performances. We also hold discussions with external music tutors to assess each child’s progress regularly.

Looking ahead, we are eager to strengthen ties with local secondary institutions such as Longfield Academy. Collaborating with their music department could provide enriching opportunities for our Year 6 pupils through visits and creative projects.

In terms of budgeting, we have successfully secured funding for ukulele tuition and subscriptions to programs like Young Voices and Sing Up. Our commitment extends to supporting pupils eligible for Pupil Premium and ensuring that children with SEND can fully engage in our music initiatives, in line with the Equality Act 2010. Discussions are ongoing to offer additional music tuition for Pupil Premium students next academic year.

As part of our summary action plan, we aim to establish a singing plan that encompasses a variety of genres for assemblies. We’re also scheduling a ‘music week’ for the upcoming academic year to further stimulate students’ interest and engagement. By liaising with Longfield Academy, we hope to create lasting relationships that can inspire and enhance our students’ musical journeys.

We are excited about the dynamic music programme at Leigh Academy Hartley and look forward to nurturing our students’ musical talents together!