Music

Music teaching at St Gabriel’s will deliver the requirements of the National Curriculum through a topic based cycle curriculum. Teachers have lessons plans provided by the Music Lead which are progressive and will help children develop their skills and knowledge in music. The National Curriculum has been divided into smaller steps for phase (Year 1 and 2, Year 3 and 4, Year 5 and 6). Teachers link with other subjects, follow the children’s interests and use their assessment to alter planning if needed. An emphasis is placed on musical vocabulary, allowing children to talk about pieces of music using the correct terminology. Each year, the classes have 4 topics to cover that link with their topics: listening, instruments, performance and composition.

Children in Year 4 are part of the wider opportunities project where they learn either violin, viola or cello. The children are taught by professional musicians for the year and perform at termly concerts for their families and peers in school. Children are exposed to a range of live music throughout their school life, this can by attending concerts, performances in school and the theatre.

Children in Year 2 are given the opportunity to learn a tuned instrument which can then be utilised in later years for performance and composition opportunities.

Music teaching at St Gabriel’s Primary School is practical and engaging. A variety of teaching approaches and activities are provided based on teacher judgement and pupil ability. Lessons typically involve a combination of the following; games, songs, challenges, listening to music and discussing music, playing a range of musical instruments, performing back, finding the pulse and composing music using graphic and notation sheets.

Alongside our curriculum provision for music, pupils also have the opportunity to participate in additional 1:1 music teaching. Pupils are offered the opportunity to learn a musical instrument with peripatetic teachers. Our peripatetic music teaching is organised by Wigan Music Service, where lessons are provided weekly for a small set fee paid by the child’s parent or carer.  A range of instruments are offered but our children frequently choose Instruments in the past have included: guitar, piano, keyboard and strings. Children are encouraged to perform when possible in school.