Music learning develops pupil’s critical skills: their ability to listen, to appreciate a wide variety of music and to make judgments about musical quality. It also increases self discipline and creativity. The music curriculum is based on the skills of listening, performing and composing.
Teaching British Values
Music prepares Perton Middle School students for British society by allowing them to be creative, work with others and by developing the desire to innovate.
In Year 5 pupils will develop their singing skills, singing unison songs and simple rounds. They will add accompaniments, create simple compositions, improvise and listen to music based on a number of topics which will include Magic Spells, Machines and the Planets.
In Year 6 they will compose creatively using graphic scores and begin to develop an understanding of more traditional compositional skills using music notation. Much work will be based on the pentatonic scale, ostinati, drones and simple harmonies. They will study variation, gamelan music, Tudor music and pop songs.
Pupils in Year 7 will develop their musical understanding further to include more difficult 2-part singing and composition will show an understanding of form. Knowledge of key structure and scales will be developed. Class instrumental performances will play an important part. Topics studied will include medieval music, African drumming, song writing and music to create atmosphere.
Pupils in Year 8 will further develop their musical skills by studying chordal structure, a variety of forms, more advanced improvisation, scales, keys and musical devices. Topics will include blues, Indian music, songs of war and reggae music. Compositional skills in small groups, individual and class performances will play an important part.
Music contributes in a vital way to the total development of a child. At all stages listening, singing, creating music and performing are encouraged. A number of children receive tuition on instruments such as strings, percussion, woodwind and brass; they also take part in school bands and choirs. Music plays a large part in assemblies and school performances.