At Carr Junior School we are dedicated to providing an enriching and comprehensive music education that instils a lifelong passion for music in our students. Our music curriculum, delivered by Sing Education, is carefully crafted to foster creativity, nurture talent, and develop a deep understanding of music across various cultures and genres. We aim to empower every student to express themselves through music, building their confidence, teamwork, and self-expression.
Our intent is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and cultural awareness necessary to appreciate and engage with music in a meaningful way. We aspire to cultivate well-rounded musicians who can sing, play, compose, and perform with proficiency and enthusiasm. Through our music curriculum, we seek to instil in our students a sense of curiosity, an appreciation for diverse musical traditions, and the ability to connect emotionally with music.
Aligned with the Development Matters and the Model Music Curriculum, our curriculum is designed to provide a sequential and coherent music education. It aims to ensure that every student, regardless of background or prior experience, has access to a rich and varied musical education. We believe that music is an essential part of a well-rounded education, contributing to students’ intellectual, emotional, and social development.
To realise our music curriculum’s intent, we have partnered with Sing Education, a specialist provider of music education. Our curriculum is thoughtfully structured with half-termly units, each building upon the foundation of prior learning while introducing new concepts and challenges. This scaffolded approach ensures a logical progression of skills and knowledge, enabling students to consolidate, expand, and refine their musical abilities.
The Kodaly method, integral to our curriculum, ensures that musical concepts are presented systematically and aligned with students’ prior experiences. Our specialist music teachers facilitate lessons that are child-centred, inclusive, and foster a love for singing. These lessons are enriched with high-quality resources, instruments, and dedicated spaces for music within our school.
Regular performances and recordings at the end of each half term provide students with opportunities to showcase their musical growth and articulate their learning journey. We also offer extracurricular activities, such as after-school music clubs and singing assemblies, to further immerse students in the joy of music.
To enhance our curriculum, students have access to Sing Education’s online resources, which complement our in-class learning and offer flexibility in engaging with music. Additionally, many students opt for small group and one-to-one private tuition to receive personalised instruction.
Through our comprehensive music curriculum, we aim to nurture confident, skilled, and culturally aware musicians who are well-prepared for a lifelong journey of musical exploration and expression. Our curriculum aligns with the Model Music Curriculum’s principles, ensuring that students receive a high-quality, balanced, and inclusive music education.
Singing
All children have access to a weekly Singing Assembly where they learn, practise and perform songs. Singing is also encouraged in all areas of the curriculum to help develop memory, timing, sustained concentration and to encourage listening.
Carr Junior School Assembly Music Timetable
Developing children’s knowledge of significant pieces of music is an important part of their education at Carr Junior School. As a result, we have a 3-year cycle of assembly music which pupils listen to as they enter and leave the hall for assembly. A different piece of music is played each half term. Where possible a video of an orchestra playing these pieces is shown on the hall screen to support pupils’ understanding of the music and the parts played by sections of the orchestra. Teachers leading singing assembly will discuss the music and refer to a poster at the front of the hall about the piece and its composer.
Instrumental Lessons
We offer both group and individual lessons in brass, woodwind and guitars. Children also have the opportunity to have band lessons with Rock Steady.
Visits and Visitors
Throughout the year we organise music workshops – where possible linked to the Big Idea – where children are taught by specialist music teachers. We also take part in projects such as Young Voices and The South Bank Arts Festival where the children learn a range of songs before performing them to an audience at specific venues with other schools.
Extra-curricular music
We have Carr Choir for children to take part in and explore their musical interests in singing and performing further. Children who learn to play brass or woodwind instruments come together to perform in Carr Band in assemblies throughout the year to showcase their skills. We also have a Musical Ensemble Club that takes place at lunchtime.
Support
Music is an inclusive subject but at times children can feel reluctant or self conscious. Support is provided by the class teacher, critical friends or resources in the safe, friendly and nurturing environment of the classroom.
Assessment
We believe in a balanced and comprehensive approach to evaluating our students’ progress in music education. Each school has an Assessment Tracker, with each pupil listed in their respective year group. We assess their abilities against the expected criteria groups appropriate for their age range.
Criteria Groups
Our assessment criteria are divided into several groups, each focusing on key aspects of music education:
Levels of Achievement
For each criteria group, students are assessed as either ‘Working Towards’ the standard, ‘Meeting Expected Standard’, or demonstrating ‘Greater Depth’ of understanding and skill.
Assessment Methods
Our assessments are multifaceted to capture the full scope of a student’s musical abilities:
● In-lesson Assessments: We observe students during regular lessons, gauging their participation, understanding, and skill application in real-time.
● Group Work: By evaluating students’ abilities to collaborate and perform in ensembles, we gain insights into their teamwork and musicianship.
● Performance Recordings (where requested and resourced by school): Capturing student performances allows us to assess their practical skills and musical expression over time.
Continuous Feedback
We provide ongoing feedback to students to encourage constant improvement and celebrate achievements, ensuring they understand their progress and areas for growth.
Impact is also measured by analysing the quality of the children’s music work, which is recorded at the end of each academic year on Progress Teaching. At Carr, we are continually monitoring the impact of teaching on learning through learning walks as well as pupil and staff voices.
Year 4 raising money for @OscarsCharity with another rugby challenge! #community #carrstars
Year 4 Completing one of our charity rugby challenges for @OscarsCharity #community #carrstars
Lots of drumming fun to end the half term in 3P! #carrstars #selfbelief #happy
Year 3 rugby tournament #CarrStars #determination #self-belief
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