music
"music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand." stevie wonder
our vision
At Westbury Park school, it is our vision that children see themselves as musicians. We aim to provide a wealth of opportunities and experiences that engage and inspire children to develop a love of music throughout their primary school journey and beyond.
MUSIC MARK AWARD
Westbury Park School is a Music Mark School, awarded by The ABRSM, one of five examination boards accredited by Ofqual to award graded exams and diploma qualifications in music within the UK's National Qualifications Framework. This is in recognition of the value that Westbury Park puts on music education as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. For more information visit https://www.musicmark.org.uk/join/schools/
Intent
Music is taught as a discrete subject in every year group but is celebrated as a whole school and teachers also try to incorporate music into other subject areas to enhance learning. In music lessons, children explore the inter related dimensions of pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.
At Westbury Park, whole class music lessons are taught by classroom teachers, following the Kapow Scheme of Work. Teachers are encouraged to integrate the music curriculum into other projects which may link to their cross curricular projects. In addition, Years 3 and 4 have whole class instrumental lessons for 2 terms and year 5 and 6 perform musicals. Westbury Park has links with the hub at Bristol Beacon, formerly Bristol Plays Music Partnership.
Please see the overviews for more detail about the objectives covered.
Children leave Westbury Park with the confidence to experiment with music. They have an awareness of pitch, dynamics and structure and can use the subject specific vocabulary. They understand how musical history and musicians of interest have played a part in history and in the world of music today. Beyond the classroom, children are celebrated for their musical efforts and children can express themselves with their voices and knowledge of music.
implementation
impact
At Westbury Park, our music curriculum is designed to help children learn about and experience music so that they develop an appreciation for not only how music is created but also a life-long love of music in all its forms. In school, a broad balance of performance, listening and composition opportunities creates an enriching curriculum that celebrates music from different traditions and from great composers and musicians.
Music lessons are skills based and interactive aiming to foster a passion for music in children of all abilities. Music is a strength of the school with high quality whole school singing and encouragement for children to take up an instrument in addition to their class lessons. It is our vision that class music lessons give the opportunity for children to see themselves as musicians and there is a focus on developing a secure understanding of the inter-related dimensions of music through practical music making.
Children take part in a number of whole school events during the year. Close partnership with Bristol Beacon and other arts groups enriches our provision and helps provide a stimulating musical experience in the classroom and rich extra-curricular provision. Where possible, professional musicians are invited to work with our children in partnership with significantly enriching our musical offering to all children.
singing
At Westbury Park, we love to sing! There are many ways you can get involved in singing!
key stage two choir
Our choir at Westbury Park has been going from strength to strength over the past few years. This is an un-auditioned group of 30 singers from Year 3-6 who sing a wide variety of songs from different musical styles and genres. They are encouraged to sing solos in our performances and are developing the skills of learning to sing in rounds and part harmonies. They perform for members of the community, including Meadowcare Nursing home and have helped to raise money for the charity at Southmead Hospital. In addition, they sing at St George’s and take part in city wide singing festivals.
singing assemblies
We have singing assemblies once a week and also rehearse on a Friday. We have a composer of the week and like to learn about lots of different genres of music. We sing in unison, in parts and in rounds. Sometimes we sing in harmony.
KS2 choir performing at St George's
individual lessons
All children are actively encouraged and given the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument, from standard classroom instruments to individual instrumental lessons with the visiting peripatetic teachers. We currently have over 80 children learning an instrument.
Children from Year 3 to Year 6 learn a range of instruments including violin, ‘cello, guitar, recorder, flute, clarinet, cornet, piano, drum kit. Other instruments can be offered if requested e.g. horn, saxophone.
This is managed entirely by Bristol Plays Music. Please contact them directly through their website for more information. They use the system 'speed admin to manage bookings and payment.
Pupil Premium children can be funded by school and children who struggle to pay. Teachers are encouraged to enter children for ABSRM or equivalent exams is appropriate.
performance opportunities
There are many performance opportunities at Westbury Park and can vary from year to year. Typically, there is a Nativity Play in Reception, Christmas show in year 1, in year 2 a Christmas sing along is organised by Bristol Beacon as well as Spiegeltent and Summer production. In KS2, year 3 explore Samba drumming and a 10 week Fast for music programme. Year 4 have the opportunity to play as part of a steel band and perform in a concert at Colston Hall. In the Spring, Year 5 perform a Shakespeare Rocks concert. There are many opportunities to perform in Year 6 including a summer production involving songs.with different parts. Finally, there are many more workshops and concerts organised throughout the year by Bristol Beacon.